Victories at Peterborough United (2-1) and at home to Crawley Town (1-0) in the last ten days has seen United climb up to 12th in the League One table after two defeats to Bristol City and Coventry City but it was in there most recent game that Nigel Clough's Blades made the most noise. Having already claimed scalps over Aston Villa and Fulham from the Premier League in 2014 United added West Ham United to their list.
West Ham fans taunted their Sheffield United counterparts with chants about Carlos Tevez - only to see their latest big-money signing miss the decisive penalty after an even Capital One Cup tie at Upton Park. This was the first meeting of the two sides since the Blades were relegated, largely thanks to Tevez's goals at West Ham - only for a legal wrangle over the Argentina international's ownership leading to the Hammers paying out almost B#30million in compensation.
There are now two divisions separating the clubs but it is Sheffield United who progress into the third round after Enner Valencia, a 14million signing from Pachuca, was the only player to miss his spot-kick as tie could not be decided in normal time. Stewart Downing lauded the depth of the squad now at Sam Allardyce's disposal but, with the West Ham boss making nine changes, his side struggled to show the class to see off a spirited Sheffield United. Diafra Sakho was quiet but managed to put the Barclays Premier League side ahead with a well-taken first-half header, only for Winston Reid - captain for the evening - to score an unfortunate second-half own goal, with few chances created by either side as the game meandered into extra time and eventually to penalties.
Both sides converted their opening four spot-kicks before Valencia, who had wasted a couple of good chances during the night, saw his low effort saved by the impressive Mark Howard. Blades' skipper Michael Doyle then stepped up to seal the win for Nigel Clough's side - who will see the result as a small piece of revenge for the whole Tevez saga.
United will be without midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) despite his return to training. With James Wallace recalled to the squad the Belgian remains our only injury concern.
Blades boss Nigel Clough is likely to call upon Neill Collins, Jay McEveley and Iain Turner to face their former clubs. Collins joined the Lilywhites after a successful loan spell. He initially signed in September 2009 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and made his deal permanent the following January. However, he made too few appearances before joining Leeds United (on loan) in February 2010. He had made his debut at home to Coventry City in a 3-2 win. He scored his only goal for North End against Ipswich Town (2-0) and made his final appearance at Derby County (lost 3-5) on 16 February before moving to Elland Road and signed permanent in the summer. He made a total of 20 (+2) appearances for the Lancashire side and scored just once.
McEveley signed for Preston on loan from Derby County in September 2008 and remained at Deepdale until November. He made his debut in a 2-0 defeat at hom eto Swansea City (ironically playing back to back games against the Swans) and featured a further six more times before returning to Pride Park.
Goalkeeper Turner joined initially on loan (from Everton) for the Lancashire club in February 2011 - making his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Hull City. He made his deal perminant in July 2011 despite suffering relegation to League One. Turner remained at Deepdale until May 2012 where he joined Barnsley on a free transfer. He left the club having made 28 appearances and scored once in a game against Nott's County, his long kick bouncing over Stuart Nelson in the County goal and flying into the net.
With two wins and two draws to their name Preston North End have notched a creditable start to the season and sees them 3rd in the table at a early stage. Unlikle United they failed to advance in the League Cup and were knocked-out by three goals to one at Middlesborough last Tuesday night.
Two stunning goals from Lee Tomlin ensured Middlesbrough avoided a potential banana skin as they comfortably saw off League One side Preston 3-1 at the Riverside Stadium. Young Boro striker Bradley Fewster also scored as they eventually put North End to the sword after they had levelled through Jordan Hugill. After a first-half devoid of attacking intent from either side, the game burst into life after 51 minutes when Tomlin curled home a brilliant free-kick for Boro from just outside the box after he was upended by John Welsh. But Preston responded within two minutes - from Will Hayhurst's cross, Jack King flicked the ball on and boyhood Middlesbrough fan Hugill headed in unmarked at the far post.
In a remarkable six-minute period, which was in stark contrast to the whole of the first half, Boro then regained the initiative when Albert Adomah's cross was flicked in at the near post by Fewster for his first-ever goal at professional level. Clarke almost nodded Preston level again from another Hayhurst delivery, but could not keep his header down from six yards and Boro took advantage to stretch their lead after a brilliant, mazy run from Tomlin ended with a low shot into the corner of the net from 18 yards. Fewster teed up his second after latching on to a glorious pass from sub Emmanuel Ledesma, but King blocked his effort.
North End boss Simon Grayson is likely to host United without Lee Holmes (chest) and Kyel Reid (knee) through injury. New signing Reid was injured during the 2-2 draw earlier this year between Sheffield United and former club Bradford City and has yet to return to first team action since his summer move.
The Lilywhites are likely to call up the services of striker Kevin Davies who was born in Sheffield and played as youth for Sheffield United. However he was released by the Blades in 1992 aged 15 were he eventually made the grade with Chesterfield and signed professional terms in April 1994 and went onto bigger and better things - including a single cap for England in 2010. He has turned out for Southampton (two spells), Blackburn Rovers, Millwall (loan) and Bolton Wanderers, all mostly at top flight level before joining Preston in July 2013 on a free transfer.
They may also call upon the services of striker Paul Gallacher who is currently on loan from Leicester City. He was a Blades loanee from the Foxes on a month’s loan in October 2012 under then manger Danny Wilson - making his debut in a 1-1 home draw with Bury and scored once in a 2-1 league win at Hartlepool. He returned to Leicestershire having made 6 appearances and scored once.
Meanwhile Kyel Reid was signed on a free transfer in July 2009 after being released by West Ham United but having spent a year with United failed to make an impact and after a loan spell was signed permanently by Charlton Athletic in July 2010. He made his debut in the League Cup, a 2-1 home defeat to Port Vale and in all made 1 (+7) appearances for the Wizards.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Preston North End 1 Sheffield United 1