Match Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Sheffield United

Last updated : 27 November 2008 By @blades_mad1889

blues vs. blades
Town manager Jim Magilton; whom during his playing days turned out for Sheffield Wednesday is likely to field two former Blades in the shape in Alan Quinn and Jonathan Stead.

Quinn, 29 came to Bramall Lane from across the City on a free transfer in June 2004 before leaving United for their Championship rivals last January; during his Lane days the Irish international made 85 (+24) appearances, scoring 11 goals along the way.

Stead, 25 joined the Blades during their campaign for Premiership survival; signing from Sunderland for £750,000 in January 2007 - making 32 appearances (+15) in an 18 month spell and scoring 11 times. During his career he has also represented; Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County (loan) to date.

The Portman Road club could be without midfielder David Norris who was nursing a dead leg prior to their previous fixture at Birmingham City which result in a 2-1 defeat to the visitors at St. Andrews.

Possible Town Line-Up: Richard Wright, David Wright, Ben Thatcher, Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor, Darren Ambrose, Velice Sumuikoski, Owen Garvan, Pablo Counago, Jon Walters, Jonathan Stead.

Sheffield United travel to Portman Road in wake of a 3-1 defeat to league leaders Wolverhampton Wanders; the visitors took a three goal lead via a brace from Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake; substitute Matthew Spring fired home a stank consolation.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell welcomes back Ugo Ehiogu who returns for selection following a three match ban where he missed the fixtures against; Reading, Charlton Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The former England and Aston Villa defender had initially received a straight red card in the 2-1 victory at Barnsley.

United could see the return of winger Anthony Stokes who despite reports of a hamstring problem has been left out of recent encounters against Charlton Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers; but could return to the side by manager Kevin Blackwell.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Kyle Naughton, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, Matthew Spring, Brian Howard, Greg Halford, Stephen Quinn, James Beattie, Billy Sharp.