Match Preview: Sheffield United v Watford

blades vs hornets

Attacking duo James Beattie and Danny Webber (both knee) and defender Chris Morgan (ankle) are all sidelined, however Gary Naysmith (shoulder) returns from injury whilst Ego Ehiogu could be handed a start..

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Leigh Bromby, Matthew Kilgallon, Chris Armstrong, Keith Gillespie, Michael Tonge, Gary Speed, Lee Martin, Rob Hulse, Billy Sharp.

Watford travel to Bramall Lane on back of their encounter at Wolverhampton Wanderers were the Hornets were rocketed out of the Worlds greatest cup competition in a 4-1 thrashing.

Former Scunthorpe United striker Andy Keogh (5 & 90 minute) netted twice along with Stephen Elliot (58) and Jay Boothroyd (68) - John-Joe O'Toole (70) netted a scant consolation for the home side.

Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd will be without star striker Marlon King, who in a bizarre move joined Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee just days after a likely move to Fulham broke down after the player failed a medical.

Meanwhile Mathew Sadlier has been drafted in on loan from Birmingham City after Calum Davenport returned to West Ham United and the defender could make his league debut in the Steel City.

Lee Williamson, who netted the games only goal earlier on this season when the two sides met at Vicarage Road has sustained a thigh injury but may play through the pain barrier against the Blades.

The visitors are likely to field former Sheffield United striker Steven Kabba who featured for the Blades under Neil Warnock between November 2002 and January 2007 where he played 53 (+34) appearances and scored twenty-two goals.

Possible Hornets Line-Up: Richard Lee. Lloyd Doyley, Malky Mackay, Matthew Sadler, Jay DeMerit, Jobi McAnuff, Alhassan Bangura, John-Joe O'Toole, Nathan Ellington, Steven Kabba, Tamas Priskin.

:: Man in the Middle ::

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Assistants: T. Massey & J. Stokes
Fourth Official: K. Woolmer