Match Preview: Stoke City v Sheffield United

Last updated : 09 November 2007 By @blades_mad1889

potters v blades
Stoke City are without suspended midfielder Liam Lawrence but fit-again Mamady Sidibe could return and Demar Phillips may make his City debut.

Dominic Matteo (hamstring) is expected to miss out but Vincent Pericard and Jon Parkin are available and may play.

Defender Leon Cort has joined the Potters on loan a two month loan spell from Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace will a view to a permanent move in January and is likely to make his Britannia Stadium debut against the Blades on Saturday.

Potters boss Tony Pulis could line up with two former Blades; Vincent Pericard and Jody Craddock who is currently on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers; both of whom spent time at Sheffield United on loan.

Jody Craddock was signed on loan at the beginning of the 1999-00 season and started ten games before returning to Sunderland.

Vincent Pericard; who will play with a tag on his leg after being released early from his prison sentence was a two month loan spell from Portsmouth at United during the 2005-06 promotion season. The striker played three (+8) games whilst he netted twice in 4-0 victories against Millwall and Luton Town.

Possible Potters Line-Up: Steve Simonsen, Ryan Shawcross, Leon Cort, Gaby Zakuani, Danny Pugh, Carl Dickinson, Rory Delap, Lawrence, John Eustace, Richard Cresswell, Ricardo Fuller.

Stoke City vs. Sheffield United

Saturday, 10 November 2007 - 5:20pm
Coca-Cola Championship - Britannia Stadium

Sheffield United entertained Ipswich Town on Tuesday night and a barn storming display credited them with a 3-1 victory.

Blades boss Bryan Robson is unlikely to field former Stoke City loan star Lee Hendrie, who is struggling with his fitness. The former Aston Villa midfielder spent six months on loan at the Britannia Stadium in two spells last season; he played 26 (+3) times whilst netted three goals.

Sheffield United have no fresh injuries worries ahead of their trip to the Britannia Stadium and is likely to select the same squad which won last Tuesday night. with Derek Geary (knee) recovering from surgery whilst Rob Hulse is back in training but not near match fitness.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Gary Cahill, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, Keith Gillespie, Chris Armstrong, Nick Montgomery, David Carney, James Beattie,


:: Man in the Middle ::

Referee: K. Stroud (Hampshire)
Assistants: B. Sygmuta & P. Kirkup
Fourth Official: D. Deadman

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