Following a playing career as a goalkeeper with Tranmere Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Welsh side Bangor City, he earned a degree in physiotherapy following his retirement. Eventually he wound up at Scunthrope United where he was handed the caretaker's position, after Steve Wharton had left and in December 2006 was appointed as permanent manager of the Iron until leaving Glanford Park in September 2010 after he agreed to join Southampton.
After a poor start to the league season, the Blades lay mid-table but having acquired three points at home to Coventry City last weekend, a victory in Lincolnshire this weekend will see them edge closer to the top six pack.
Substitute Billy Sharp's scrappy late goal earned Sheffield United a barely-deserved 1-0 win over second-placed Coventry. Chances were at a premium in the first half, but Coventry's Adam Armstrong had a low shot well saved by George Long following a fine through-ball from Ruben Lameiras. Ben Turner also threatened for the visitors, having a shot blocked and then putting the rebound over.
Long was forced to make a fine save early in the second half, tipping a volley from Lameiras over the bar. But the keeper went close to spilling the ball over the line following Jacob Murphy's effort. The goal came in the 80th minute when a corner from Paul Coutts was missed by keeper Reice Charles-Cook and the ball appeared to go in off Sharp's shoulder. To compound Coventry's misery, they had skipper Sam Ricketts sent-off in injury-time when he received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Chris Basham.
The Blades will be without suspended striker Che Adams, who sits out the second game of a three-match ban following his dismissal in the recent FA Cup win against Oldham. Conor Sammon started up front alongside Matt Done in last Sunday's home win against Coventry, but Billy Sharp is pushing for a recall after stepping off the bench to score the winner.
Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce (hamstring) will be monitored after missing the last two matches and defender Bob Harris could return to contention after missing out last week due to concussion. It remains to be seen whether midfielder Jose Baxter returns to the squad after recently being disciplined by the club for an unspecified incident.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Scunthorpe United 0 Sheffield United 2
