Match Preview: Sheffield United vs. Reading (Postponed)

Last updated : 21 January 2011 By @blades_mad1889

















This fixture has official been called off due to the weather; our match preview would have looked like this had it gone ahead.

The Blades come into their fixture with Reading following a disastrous result at Bristol City which ended in a 3-0 defeat.

 

Striker Richard Cresswell saw himself sent off for a lunging challenge and will now sit out three fixtures against; Reading, Barnsley and Swansea City.

 

Also sitting out a suspension is fellow striker Daniel Bogdanovic who will serve his second of a three game ban; he will also be absent from our trip to local rivals Barnsley next week.

 

The Blades have drafted in defender Darren Batth, 20 on loan from Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers; he was an unused substitute at Aston Gate last weekend but could make his debut at the Lane this Saturday should the game go ahead.

 

Blades boss Gary Speed is without a number of key players; Captain Chris Morgan (knee) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury, whilst; Ryan France (back),Darius Henderson (hamstring) and Lee Williamson (back) are also unavailable.

 

Left Full-Back Stephen Jordan is likely to be sidelined until after Christmas after suffering an ankle injury during the defeat at Bristol City; Andy Taylor, Robert Kozluk or Elan Parrino could take his place.

 

Darius Henderson started his professional playing career with Reading in August 1999, though he didn't make his debut until March 2000 in a 3-0 defeat at Burnley. He saw limited opportunities with the Royals and moved onto Brighton & Hove Albion on loan before completing a move to Gillingham in January 2004.

 

In all he made just 17 (+71) appearances for the Berkshire club and scored 15 goals.

 

Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Lowton, Bartley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Calvé, Montgomery, Britton, Quinn, Reid, Evans.

 

The Royals travel to Bramall Lane after a 0-0 draw with Leeds United last Saturday with boths side's defence being on top of the game to keep clean sheets for both keepers.

 

Boss Brian McDermott has welcomed back Jimmy Kebe (knee) from injury in recent weeks and may be in contempt ion for a starting role after being a used substitute last weekend.

 

Missing through injury however is; Brynjar Gunnarsson (hamstring) and Ivar Ingirmarsson (hamstring).

 

Meanwhile former Doncaster Rovers defender Matt Mills has served a one match suspension following his five yellow cards and will be made available for their trip to S2; he could take the place of Zurub Khizanishvilli whoi stood in for him last week.

 

Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood is likely to start against his former club. He was signed by Neil Warnock for £600,000 in July 2006 (from Crystal Palace), following there promotion to the Premier League.

 

He stayed at the Lane for just twelve months, joining Queens Park Rangers in a £900,000 deal having made19 (+4) appearances for the Blades. He recently joined Reading on loan and made his Royals debut in the draw against Leeds.

 

Expected Eleven: Federici, Harte, Griffin, Pearce, Khizanishvilli, McAnuff, Leigertwood, Karacan, Hunt, Long, Church.