Sheffield United claimed there first league win of 2013 last Saturday and there first victory since Boxing Day after going into a two goal lead at Shrewsbury Town via shots from Michael Doyle (63) and Dave Kiston (73) before Stephen McGinn (88) netted a late consolation for the Shrews. The win lifted United top fifth in the table and following Tranmere Rovers defeat at Leyton Orient (2-1) will be keen on a victory tonight to bridge the gap to just two points.
Blades boss Danny Wilson is without defender Neill Collins (broken cheekbone) and striker Shaun Miller (cruciate knee ligament), meanwhile keeper Mark Howard (thigh) and defender Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) have returned to training but are unlikely to see first team action soon. Whilst fellow defender Matt Hill (broken jaw) is also ruled out and expected to return to training at the beginning of March and Marcus Williams (illness) missed the trip to Meadow Lane last weekend, Darryl Westlake is likely to continue in that role.
Blades boss Danny Wilson could name striker Chris Porter somewhere in his eighteen man squad to face his former club. He started his football career with the Gigg Lane club, signing professional terms in March 2003. He made his league debut the same month in a 0-0 draw at Macclesfield Town as a substitute. The following (2003/04) season he went onto become a regular in the team and netted his first goal in a 3-2 home defeat to Scunthorpe United and went onto score ten goals in total that campaign. He netted a further ten goals the following season before in June 2005 signed for rival Lancashire club Oldham Athletic In total he made 54 (+24) appearances for the shakers and netted 20 goals.
Bury, currently 22nd in the League One table have won just twice in the last dozen matches but have picked up four points in the last two matches after claming a win over Doncaster Rovers (2-0) and a draw against Brentford last weekend (2-2). Harry Forrester (52) had put the Bees ahead before former Crystal Palace and Stoke City midfielder Tom Soares (65) levelled, Marcello Trotta (68) soon put the home side back on track until Nick Ajose (76) levelled again and that is where the scores stayed.
The Shakers have recently seen there transfer embargo lifted by the Football Association following the repayment of there PFA loan and may bring in new faces prior to the match against the Blades, they have however been able to sign players on loan and out of contract players during the embargo.
The Gigg Lane club have no new injuries to effect the squad selection, they have recently re-signed Tom Hopper (Leicester City), Troy Hewitt (Queens Park Rangers), Zac Thompson (Leeds United) and Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Wolverhampton Wanderers) on loan, but during this January transfer window has seen Lateef Elford Alliyu (Crawley Town) and Peter Sweeney (AFC Wimbledon) leave the Lancashire club in permanent deals.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Bury 0-2 Sheffield United