Match Preview: Walsall v Blades

Last updated : 22 April 2004 By @blades_mad1889

Walsall's Weapon: Jorge Leitao is Sallers One-to-Watch.
The Blades go into the game having lost 1-0 at home to Stoke City with an Clive Clarke goal.

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock's only injury doubt for the trip to Walsall is over defender Simon Francis.

The 19-year-old picked up a head injury in Easter Monday's 2-1 win over Wimbledon and faces a late fitness test.

Striker Steve Kabba is back in training but will be given reserve-team football over the next couple of weeks before returning to the first team after breaking a leg in December

The Saddlers go into the game having been frashed 5-0 at Norwich City. Damian Francis, Leon McKenzie, Darren Huckerby and Mathias Svensson (2) all got on the score sheet for the Canaries.

Ian Roper could make his return for the Midlands club, Roper was expected to do so last Saturday after recovering from a knee injury but failed to do so.

Following a two-game ban former Blades target Paul Ritchie is available. Experienced Midfielder Darren Wrack is sidelined with an Achilles problem while there continues to be a problem with former Evertonian Vinny Samways who has gone AWOL in spain.


WALSALL VERSUS SHEFFIELD UNITED
Saturday 24 April 2004
Nationwide League Division One
Kick-Off: 3:00pm @ Bescot Stadium

Walsall: James Walker, Matt Carbon, Paul Ritchie, Darren Bazeley, Zigor Aranalde, Simon Osborn, Craig Burley, Neil Emblem, Lee Bradbury, Jorge Leitao, Jermaine McSporran. Substitutes: Kris Taylor, Matty Fryatt, Paul Merson, Keith Andrews, Andy Patterson.

Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Simon Francis, Chris Morgan, Alan Wright, Nick Montgomery, Andy Gray, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Stuart McCall, Jack Lester, Peter Ndlovu. Substitutes: Wayne Allison, Paul Shaw, Ashley Sestanovich, Mark Rankine, Robert Kozluk.


Football League Record v Saddlers

Venue

PWDLFA
Bramall Lane8422125
Bescot Stadium7331119
Total157532314

Division One Fixtures

Saturday
Burnley v Derby County
Coventry City v Rotherham United
Crewe Alexandra v Crystal Palace
Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest
Millwall v Reading
Preston North End v Cardiff City
Stoke City v West Ham United
Walsall v Sheffield United
Watford v Norwich City
West Bromwich Albion v Bradford City
Wigan Athletic v Sunderland
Wimbledon v Gillingham