Sheffield United saw off League Two opposition Morecambe in the third round of the Carling Cup at Bramall Lane with a 5-0 victory. Billy Sharp (18 & 33 minutes) and Luton Shelton (52 & 72) both netted braces whilst midfielder Lee Hendrie (67) netted to land United into the next round.
The Blades made universal changes to the side that lost 3-2 at Crystal Palace at the weekend; and despite such a strong side only Paddy Kenny, Gary Naysmith and Nick Montgomery started the game against both Palace and Morecombe.
Gary Cahill, who was cup-tied on Tuesday night is expected to return in place of Matthew Kilgallon whilst; James Beattie and Jonathan Stead are likely to return.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Chris Morgan, Gary Cahill, Chris Armstrong, Keith Gillespie, Alan Quinn, Nick Montgomery, Lee Hendrie, James Beattie, Jonathan Stead.
Southampton were knocked out of the League Cup at an earlier stage and therefore didn't compete in this competition last Tuesday. Their last game was in the Championship and faced Barnsley at St. Mary's Stadium.
It was the Tykes who went away with the spoils with a 3-2 victory at the death; Grant McCann (27 & 40) put the visitors into a two goal lead with his duo of free-kicks; but Marek Saganoski (45) and Inigo Idiakez (90) set up what appeared to be a tense point; however Mark Devaney (90) chased from his own half to take take all three points back to Yorkshire.
Barnsley saw full-back Dominik Werling sent off for two book able offences. Meanwhile the Saints travel to South Yorkshire without veteran captain Claus Lundekvam (broken leg) who is out for six months.
However the visitors have been boosted by the return of Jason Euell and Nathan Dyer who both missed last Saturday's defeat to Barnsley to an ankle and thigh injury respectively. Both have come unscathed in team training and are in contention for their trip to Bramall Lane.
Possible Saints Line-Up: Kelvin Davis, Gregory Vignal, Wayne Thomas, Christian Dailly, Jhon Viafara, Youssef Safri, Jermaine Wright, Andrew Surman, Adam Hammill, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Marek Saganowski.
:: Match Officials ::
Match Referee: A. Bates (Staffordshire)
Assistants: W. Grunnill & A. Smith
4th Official: K. Lawson
- 18.08.1998 - Darlington 2-2 Blades (LC) *
- 24.04.1999 - Sunderland 0-0 Blades
- 07.08.1999 - Portsmouth 2-0 Blades
- 28.10.2000 - Wimbledon 0-0 Blades
- 26.01.2002 - Preston NE 2-1 Blades (FAC)
- 13.08.2002 - Blades 1-1 Portsmouth
- 03.04.2004 - Blades 1-2 Nottingham Forest
- 14.08.2004 - Blades 0-1 Reading
- 25.03.2006 - Blades 3-0 Southampton
* Sheffield United win 5-3 on penalties (aet)
:: Last Five Meetings ::
at Bramall Lane...
- 25.03.2006 - Blades 3-0 Saints
- 26.03.1994 - Blades 0-0 Saints
- 03.10.1993 - Blades 2-0 Saints
- 24.08.1991 - Blades 0-2 Saints
- 02.02.1990 - Blades 4-1 Saints
- 01.10.1977 - Blades 3-2 Saints