Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will be without striker Billy Sharp (groin) who looks set to miss the remainder of the season through injury, Danny Webber or Arturo Lupoli could take his place.
United played at Pride Park at the early stages of the season; the Rams beat the Blades 2-1 in the 5th game of the campaign. The home side opened up the scoring on 24 minutes when Paul Green bundled over but two minutes later Darius Henderson headed home Greg Halford's cross to net his first goal for United since joining from Watford - but on 71 minutes Rob Hulse pounced from close range to break United hearts.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Kyle Naughton, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, David Cotterill, Stephen Quinn, Nick Montgomery, Greg Halford, Darius Henderson, Danny Webber.
Pride Park boss Nigel Clough has been shrewd in the loan market and has brought in Watford midfielder John Eustace - with players rapidly leaving Vicarage Road it's surprising that they have a team left.
They will be without skipper Paul Green who is out for the remainder of the season; the former Doncaster Rovers defender is suffering with a broken metatarsal. Meanwhile Kris Commons (calf) and Miles Addison (foot) are also out injured.
The Rams are likely to field former Blade Robert Hulse in there starting XI; he was signed by Neil Warnock in July 2006 from Leeds United in a deal worth £2,200,000 - netting on his debut in a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool before breaking his leg at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) the following March.
He left United after his recovery in July 2008 having made 38 (+15) appearances for the Bramall Lane club, joining Derby County in a £1,750,000 deal - he can also list West Bromwich Albion and Crewe Alexandra as his former clubs.
Possible Rams Line-Up: Stephen Bywater, Paul Connolly, Martin Albrechtsen, Lewin Nyatanga, Jay McEveley, Gary Teale, Nacer Barazite, Mile Sterjovski, Rob Savage, Chris Porter, Robert Hulse.