Ched Evans was on fire yet again as he netted his seventh goal in five matches to help hand United a 2-1 win over AFC Bournemouth at Bramall Lane, it was the Welsh strikers 32nd goal of the season. Richard Cresswell added a second later on and were made to sweat out the final minutes after a Steve Simonsen blunder allowed the Cherries to score.
Blades boss Danny Wilson now has a selection headache ahead of tonights game; Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) and Chris Morgan (knee) are both absent through injury. Though he is without Erik Tonne (York City) who is away out on loan. Winger Michael O'Halloran, 21 could make his Sheffield United full debut after arriving on loan from Bolton Wanderers..
Midfielder Nick Montgomery (calf) has returned to the club after receiving an injury whilst on loan at Millwall; he played just nine minutes for the Lions. Midfielder David McAllister has also returned to the Lane, cutting short his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town after being sent off against Aldershot and will now serve a three match suspension, missing fixtures against AFC Bournemouth (1-0), Rochdale (a) and at home against Leyton Orient.
Rochdale's battle against the drop took a damaging blow last Saturday when they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Yeovil Town, a result which leaves them 22nd in the League One table and a difficult 11 points from safety. Jonathan Franks (7 minutes), Richard Hinds (29) and Michael Woods (75) stormed the Glovers into the lead before Jonathan Grounds (80) put through his own net to give the Lancashire side a scant consolation.
With the exception of midfielder Simon Hackney (abdominal) who is sidelined for the remainder of the season the Dale haven't any injury concerns. Midfielder Sean McConville has yet to make his full debut since arriving on loan from Stockport County last month but will do doubt be pushing for a first start.
Dale boss John Coleman could feature Stephen Jordan, 30 to face his former club. He was signed by the late Gary Speed for Sheffield United in August 2010 after being released months earlier by Burnley; making his debut in a 1-0 win over Preston North End but despite a quality performance was overshadowed by Jean Calve.
He joined Huddersfield Town on loan towards the end of the season as he fell out of favour with then manager Micky Adams and played at total of 14 (+1) appearances for United without scoring before being released.