The Pirates are 9th in League One, and just one point behind the Blades, having won promotion from League Two last season. They were victorious at home to Oxford United (2-1) on 14 August but failed win for a further five fixtures. They have claimed maximum points from their last two games, beating Swindon Town and Port Vale (both 2-1).
A 63rd-minute penalty from Jermaine Easter clinched Bristol Rovers a 2-1 League One home win over Port Vale at the Memorial Stadium. The experienced striker drilled a low spot-kick to the left of goalkeeper Jack Alnwick after a foul by Paulo Tavares on substitute Byron Moore.
Vale had taken a 23rd-minute lead when a mix-up in the centre of the Rovers defence allowed Martin Paterson space inside the box to drill a left-foot shot past Kelle Roos from 12 yards. But Rovers had created the better openings to that point and equalised a minute before the break. Lee Brown delivered a deep cross from the left to the far post where Ellis Harrison rose to send a powerful header back across goal and into the roof of the net.
After Easter's decisive spot-kick, Rovers might have increased their lead when Moore's chip bounced back off the far post with Alnwick out of his goal. Vale applied late pressure, but the hosts held out for a deserved win.
Rovers will check on top goalscorer Matty Taylor, who has been suffering from a tight hamstring. Taylor was not risked for Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Port Vale in which his replacement Jermaine Easter struck the winner from the penalty spot. Stuart Sinclair is suspended after picking up a fifth booking of the season and Crystal Palace loanee Hiram Boateng and Byron Moore could come in to the Pirates' midfield.
Chelsea youngster Jake Clarke-Salter has finally joined up with the Rovers squad following his deadline-day loan move, the defender having stayed in London to continue his rehabilitation programme after suffering a knee injury on England Under-19 duty this summer.
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