Match Preview: Sheffield United vs. Doncaster Rovers

Last updated : 26 January 2009 By @blades_mad1889

sheffield united vs. doncaster rovers
The Blades lay 4th in the Championship table table despite not playing a league fixture last weekend due to the FA Cup 4th round in which they beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 to set up a tie with Hull City (at Bramall Lane); Danny Webber and Lee Hendrie netting for the Blades.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell is expected to make five changes from that which won last weekend; Ian Bennett, Sun Jihai and Greg Halford are expected to be replaced by Paddy Kenny, Brian Howard and Stephen Quinn.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will be without midfielder Gary Speed (back) and defender Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles) who are both out for the remainder of the season.

However the Blades could hand debuts to new signings Leigh Bromby and Jamie Ward; Bromby a former employee at the club has joined from Watford on loan until the remainder of the season and may make his full second debut after already coming on as a substitute. Whilst Ward has arrived in a £330,000 deal from Chesterfield.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Kyle Naughton, Chris Morgan, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, Danny Webber, Brian Howard, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Darius Henderson, Billy Sharp.

Doncaster Rovers were also in FA Cup action last weekend and secured a 0-0 draw with high flying Aston Villa at the Keepmoat Stadium, they will replay the match at Villa Park next Wednesday week.

Manager Sean O'Driscoll will be without key players James Hayter (knee ligaments) and Sean McDaid (knee) whom are both sidelined through injury.

Rovers may opt to field former Lane favourite Gareth Taylor in attack; the twelve capped Welsh international was signed for United in March 1996 by Howard Kendall from Crystal Palace, leaving in November 1998 for Manchester City - during that time he made 69 (+36) and scored 26 goals.

Possible Rovers Line-Up: Neil Sulivan, James O'Connor, Matt Mills, Sam Hird, Gareth Roberts, John Spicer, Brian Stock, James Coppinger, Martin Woods, Richie Wellens, Lewis Guy.