Sheffield United took a break last Saturday from the usual regularities of domestic league football action with a trip to Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup First Round Proper where a 'banana skin' looked on the cards when David Clarkson (7 minutes) ran through the defence to fire home past George Long. The first half performance was poor but the Blades triumphed in the second, Chris Porter found Nick Blackman (53) who, on the angle fired a rasp shot before Porter (62) turned scorer at close range to win the match 2-1 and set up a home tie with Port Vale.
The Blades could be without experienced defender Matt Hill (dead-leg) after picking up an injury in the win over the Pirates, otherwise he will also be without keeper Mark Howard (thigh) whilst striker Dave Kiston (hamstring) has been ruled out through injury for up to three weeks.
Danny Wilson told BBC Radio Sheffield; "Our strikers are doing very well at this moment in time and Shaun Miller has been unlucky because of that. Nick Blackman has been great value for money. We were desperate to sign a quality striker when we got him and he is getting better and better. We need to bring another keeper in but I'm not looking at Craig Gordon. They've got a very strong squad but we're prepared for it and we're confident."
The Robins hosted non-leaguers Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup First Round Proper last Saturday where they expected tom progress to the Second Round, but the Robins were dumped out of a domestic cup competition twice in the space of only a few days following Aston Villa's 3-2 victory in the Capital One Cup.
The Silkmen who included former Blade Sam Wedgbury netted two second half goals to surprisingly be included in the next round draw. Tony Diagne (63) scored to hand the visitors the lead and matters got worse when Aden Flint was dismissed for a challenge on Amari Morgan-Smith before Louis Thompson (90) put through his own net; 0-2. However in the League One table they lay 7th with only goal difference being the difference in that top six battle for play-off places.
Robins boss Paulo di Canio; who played under Danny Wilson whilst at rivals Sheffield Wednesday will be without defender Adem Flint, 23 who serves the first of a four match ban against the Blades following his sending off against Macclesfield Town, he will also miss fixtures against Walsall, Yeovil Town and Brentford. The Italian is also excepted to be without captain Alan McCormack (hamstring), Federico Bessone and Andy Williams (both calf) through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Swindon Town 1-1 Sheffield United
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