The Hoops come into this fixture on back of a trip to West Bromwich Albion last Monday night where they threw away a two goal lead at the Hawthorns after a Jonas Olsson (56 minutes) own goal and a Kaspars Gorkss (62) header put the vistors into a comfertable lead. Jerome Thomas (67) pulled one back for the home side before Simon Cox (90) scored with vitually the last kick of the game.
They are somewhat under fire at the moment having temporarily relieving manager Jim Magilton of his managerial role after a reported 'fall-out' with midfielder Akos Buzsacky and has since been put on gardening leave. Youth team coach Steve Gallen and former player Marc Bircham have taken charge of the team until this matter his resolved; should the former Sheffield Wednesday and Northern Ireland midfielder lose his position as manager then the Loftus Road club will be hunting for their ninth (including caretaker managers) manager since John Gregory was dismissed in October 2007.
Since then the Loftus Road club has appointed former Chesterfield, Barnsley and Portsmouth manager Paul Hart as the new man at the helm and should take charge of the team for the first time in their home fixture against Sheffield United.
The hosts have no fresh injury worries to attend to; however they do have a casualty list and will be without Gavin Mahon (knee), Martin Rowlands (knee) and Steven Reid (hamstring), whilst Lee Cook (knee) and Matt Connolly (pelvic) are close to a return.
Rangers are likely to field former Sheffield United midfielder Mikele Leigertwood against his former club; he was signed by Neil Warnock from Crystal Palace in a £600,000 transfer in July 2006 but his lack of Premiership experience troubled his ability and was eventually sold in August 2007 for £900,000 to tomorrow's
opponents. He left the club having made 19 (+4) appearances.
Possible Hoops Line-Up: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart, Kaspers Gorkss, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Routledge, Ben Watson, Tom Williams, Adel Taarabt, Patrick Agyemang, Jay Simpson.
The Blades travel to Loftus Road having gone six games unbeaten; their run started on 9 November with a 2-2 draw at Barnsley; the run consists of four victories and four clean sheets. The run includes the glorious 3-2 victory at Bristol City (3-2) where Darius Henderson netted a hat-trick.
They arrive in the capital City on back of a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane; Eagles manger Neil Warnock blamed a 'funny' chicken which left a few members of their squad ill, but that didn't prevent Lee Williamson netting his first goal for the club on 21 minutes - Stephen Quinn produced a low cross with the ex-Watford man finishing from close range.
United threw away a number of chances throughout the game, but had to wait until the final minute until their lead was subsequently doubled. A well worked break away ended in Quinn finishing off a well worked move and sending the Blades just points away from a play-off spot.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will see midfielder Nick Montgomery return to the squad after the Leeds born player missed the win over London outfit Crystal Palace due to suspension after picking up five yellow cards this season. However on-loan players Andrew Davies (Stoke City) and Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers) have returned to their parent clubs.
Ian Bennett and Andy Taylor could possibly play against their former club. Blades boss Kevin Blackwell could also place keeper Ian Bennett on the substitutes bench with Mark Bunn in goal; the Worksop born shot stopper started his career at Loftus Road playing in the junior and reserve sides between 1988 to 1989 but never broke into the first team and moved to the North of England in the shape of Newcastle United on a free transfer.
During his career Benno has also featured for; Peterborough United, Birmingham City, Coventry City (loan) and Leeds United. However it was during his days at St. Andrews where he made the majority of his 385 Football League appearances to date.
Left Full-Back Andy Taylor spent time at Queens Park Rangers whilst on loan from Blackburn Rovers in January 2006. His time was short lived, just one month - he made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 home win over Southampton before featuring in 2-0 defeats at Luton Town and Leeds United. In all he made just one full (+2) appearances before returning to Ewood Park.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Mark Bunn, Kyle Walker, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Andy Taylor, Jamie Ward, Nick Montgomery, Lee Williamson, Stephen Quinn, Richard Cresswell, Ched Evans.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Sheffield United
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:: Match Officials ::
Referee: N. Swarbrick
Assistants: B. Holderness & A. Sannerude
Fourth Official: G. Evetts