Match Preview: Sheffield United v Leicester City

Last updated : 04 April 2008 By @blades_mad1889

blades vs foxes
Neil Mellor (64 & 90) netted twice for the Lilywhites has they won the 'Battle of the Roses' clash between Preston North End and the Blades. Callum Davidson (28) had put the home side ahead when he fired home their penalty after Matthew Kilgallojn had judged to have fouled Mellor.

Mellor then doubled their advantage when he beat Paddy Kenny at his near post in the second half but the Blades had a reprieve when substitute James Beattie (87) hit home his spot kick - but things got worse for United when Chris Morgan received his second booking of the game before Mellor finished off the game.

Sheffield United will now be without captain Chris Morgan who serves a one-match ban; therefore former Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Glasgow Rangers defender Ugo Ehiogu is likely to replace.

Blades winger Keith Gillespie could start against his former club Leicester City tomorrow but is likely to remain on the bench with David Cotterill taking his place on the right side of midfield.

Gillespie was signed on a free transfer by the Foxes in July 2003 and released in July 2005; he played just 30 times (+18) whilst he scored just two goals.

Meanwhile Geoff Horsfield also spent time at the Walkers Stadium on loan during the 2006-07 season. In the four months during his stay he started 9 (+4) games and scored twice before returning to Bramall Lane. He is currently on loan to Scunthorpe United.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, John Halls, Ugo Ehiogu, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, David Cotterill, Michael Tonge, Gary Speed, David Carney, Rob Hulse, Billy Sharp.

The Foxes go into this fixture on back of a slender 1-0 victory over relegation contenders Scunthorpe United, Lee Hendrie (42) providing the definitive strike.

Leicester City could see forward Iain Hume return to the fold after a two match absence following an ankle injury he received in training two weeks ago.

Veteran defender Stephen Clemence (ex-Tottenham Hotspur) and midfielder Jamie Clapham (ex-Ipswich Town) are also in contention but on loan keeper Ben Alnwick (thigh) is out injured.

Manager Ian Holloway is also sweating on the fitness of former Walsall striker Matty Fryatt (stomach bug) and DJ Campbell (groin) ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane.

Former Sheffield United striker Barry Hayles will not feature against United as the former Plymouth forward is banned as he completes a two match suspension.

He was signed by Neil Warnock on a free transfer from Fulham in June 2004 but his spell lasted just two months and five starts after failing to link up with Ashley Ward and was swiftly sold to Millwall for £25,000.

Unlikely to play will be midfielder Lee Hendrie who is currently on loan from Sheffield United, the central-midfielder was snapped up from Aston Villa in July 2007 on a free transfer and to date has started just 9 (+5) games and netted twice.

Possible Foxes Line-Up: Paul Henderson, Patrick Kisborbo, Gareth McAulley, Richard Stearman, Joe Matlock, Matthew Oakley, David Bell, James Weslowski, Iain Hume, Steven Howard, Matt Fryatt.


:: The Last Time ::

Sheffield United 4-1 Leicester City
The Championship
6 August 2001

Blades: Kenny, Bromby (1), Morgan, Jagielka, Harley, Ifill (1), Montgomery, Nalis, Tonge (Shipperley 78), Gray (1p) (Kabba 77 (1p)), Webber (Gillespie 77).

Foxes: Douglas, Maybury, McCarthy, Johansson, Williams, Sylla, Stearman (Gilbert 75), Gudjonsson, Wilcox (Hammond 85), de Vries, Connolly (1).


:: Man in the Middle ::

Referee: M. Pike (Cumbria)
Assistants: S. Cook & D. Storrie
Fourth Official: R. Wigglesworth

  • 11.08.1998 - Blades 3-1 Darlington (LC)

  • 10.04.1999 - Stockport County 1-0 Blades

  • 19.12.1999 - Blades 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

  • 04.04.2001 - Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Blades

  • 15.09.2001 - Blades 0-1 Coventry City

  • 01.12.2001 - Blades 2-2 Preston North End

  • 01.10.2002 - Blades 4-1 Wycombe Wanderers (LC)

  • 13.09.2003 - Nottingham Forest 3-1 Blades

  • 09.04.2004 - Sunderland 3-0 Blades

  • 28.12.2004 - Blades 2-0 Leicester City

  • 24.09.2005 - Blades 2-1 Derby County