Sheffield Wednesday made the long trip to Cardiff City last weekend before their cup clash with Derby County was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, which providing the rain hasn't set in could mean that this Sheffield Derby game is in serious doubt of being played.
The Owls could hand a home debut to defender Ronnie Wallwork who joined on loan from West Bromwich Albion prior to their visit to Ninian Park..
Boss Brian Laws is likley to be without star striker Akpo Sodje (ankle) and veteran defender Steve Watson (toe) to injury whilst fellow forward Francis Jeffers will take a late fitness test.
Possible Owls Line-Up: Lee Grant, Mark Beevers, Tommy Spurr, Lee Bullen, Steve Watson, Richard Hinds, Etienne Esajas, Burton O'Brien, Glenn Whelan, Leon Clarke, Marcus Tudgay.
Sheffield United on the other hand needed no replay in the FA Cup after they stormed to a 1-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers with David Carney latching onto Stephen Quinn's ball through to dispatch past the keeper.
This was before the Blades faced Queens Park Rangers at Bramall Lane last weekend, when the home side road out a 2-1 victory but needed to come from behind following Patrick Agyemang's (45) first half opener. An own goal by Damion Stewart (64) brought United on level terms and four minutes later the Blades found a winner via Lee Hendrie.
Unfortunately for the former Aston Villa midfielder he picked up his fifth booking against the Hoops and will sit out the Steel City Derby clash. That could pave the way for winger Lee Martin who has arrived from Manchester United on loan until the remainder of the season.
Blades boss Bryan Robson is currently in talks with defender Ugo Ehiogu who has been released by Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers, should he sign in time then he could make his debut at Hillsborough.
Meanwhile speculation around Bramall Lane is that star striker James Beattie (knee) has almost recovered from his injury and could make the substitutes bench on Saturday.
Three former Sheffield Wednesday players could all turn up for the Blades on Saturday with Leigh Bromby, Derek Geary and Alan Quinn featuring for the Owls over the past seven years.
Full-Back Bromby started a total of 117 (+3) times and netted twice between August 1999 and June 2004 before making the free transfer to Sheffield United, he also featured for Mansfield Town and Norwich City on loan.
Alan Quinn who netted the winner the last time this fixture was fulfilled at Bramall Lane played for the S6 side between December 1997 to June 2004 when he was released along with Bromby and moved across the City. The Irish midfielder played 169 (+11) times for the Owls and scored 17 goals.
Derek Geary came through the youth ranks along with the duo already mentioned and his Hillsborough stay lasted between November 1997 and June 2004 - 'Del Boy' made 116 (+11) starts without scoring. He joined Stockport County on a free transfer before moving to United in October 2004 for £50,000.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Leigh Bromby, Matthew Kilgallon, Chris Armstrong, David Carney, Michael Tonge, Gary Speed, Lee Martin, Rob Hulse, Billy Sharp.
:: Man in the Middle ::
Referee: M. Halsey (Lancashire)
Assistants: M. Bull & D. Richardson
Fourth Official: N. Swarbrick
- 14.03.1998 - Blades 4-0 Reading
- 26.12.1998 - Birmingham 1-0 Blades
- 03.04.1999 - Barnsley 2-1 Blades
- 28.08.1999 - Blades 2-2 Ipswich
- 30.09.2000 - Blades 1-1 QPR
- 18.08.2001 - Blades 0-0 Gillingham
- 09.11.2001 - Wimbledon 1-1 Blades
- 19.01.2002 - Blades 0-0 Nottingham
- 28.09.2002 - Blades 1-2 Watford
- 23.08.2003 - Blades 1-0 Norwich
- 20.08.2004 - Preston 0-1 Blades
- 15.04.2005 - Blades 0-1 Derby Co
- 29.10.2005 - Blades 0-0 Cardiff City
- 01.01.2007 - Middlesbrough 3-1 Blades
- 17.03.2007 - Chelsea 3-0 Blades
- 18.09.2007 - Blackpool 2-2 Blades
- 27.11.2007 - Charlton Athletic 0-3 Blades