De Laet set for Blades bow

Manager Gary Speed has hinted loan-signing Ritchie De Laet will make his full debut for Sheffield United against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Belgium international, signed from Manchester United on Friday in time to step off the bench during Saturday's defeat at Leeds, could step in for another recent signing, Frenchman Jean Calve, who Speed withdrew on Saturday. Speed said: "Jean is ok and has made a good impact for us, but he's come from French football and found out how ferocious and physical our game is. He might be in need of a rest and Ritchie came on and did well." Speed added that striker Jamie Ward had been named among the substitutes at Elland Road as he was not fully fit. The Blades boss said: "He picked up a strain earlier in the midweek. With the size of squad we have, I have to manage it carefully and I couldn't afford to play him, make things worse and then lose him for four or five weeks."

Source: PA

Source: PA