The Blades are second in the table following a 1-0 victory at Hartlepool United last weekend; a Ched Evans penalty proving the difference between the two clubs but Sheffield Wednesday's victory earlier in the day means that the Blades only hold a slender two point lead over their rivals.
However the S6 club travel to the Galphalm Stadium this Saturday to face promotion rivals Huddersfield Town where they too are fighting for an automatic spot, a similar 2-0 result that they achieved at Dean Court earlier in the season would do very nicely before a Tuesday night trip to Rochdale!
Blades boss Danny Wilson now has a selection headache ahead of tomorrows 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, Rochdale and Leyton Orient.
AFC Bournemouth lay mid-table in League One following a score-less draw at home to Yeovil Town last Saturday. The Cherries will be without striker Matt Tubbs (hernia) who is sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Caretaker manger Paul Groveswill also be without Charlie Sheringham (foot), Charlie Daniels (foot), Stephen Purches (broken leg) and Donal McDermott (dead leg) through injury.
The Cherries are likely to field full-back Simon Francis, 27 currently on loan from Charlton Athletic to face his former club. He joined the Blades in a £200,000 deal from Bradford City in March 2004; making his debut in a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City but he found first team opportunities rare and after joining Southend United on a free transfer in June 2006 after making just 8 (+7) appearances without scoring. He has also played at Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers in loan spells.