In recent years a trip to Nottingham has resulted in a visit to the City Ground but this season the Blades have been forced to play Forest's near neigh-boughs Notts County. Opponents who they haven't faced in the league since March 1995 when County won 2-1. Since then United and County have met competitively, but only once (well, twice – sort of!). In 1998-99 they were locked together in the FA Cup; United had beaten Cardiff City (4-1) in the previous round.
The pair drew 1-1 at the Lane – forcing a replay in Nottingham. At 90 minutes the scores were level at 3-3 and United added another to win the tie in extra-time; Marcelo had scored twice and Wayne Quinn had see two yellow cards shown against him. The Blades, under the leadership of Steve Bruce were eventually eliminated by Arsenal in the ‘famous’ Overmars & Kanu incident.
Earlier in the season The Blades claimed a 2-1 victory over Nott’s County at Bramall Lane; though they had to come from behind after Alan Judge’s (17 minutes) 35 yard free-kick evaded everyone, including a static Steve Simonsen. United bounced back and on 31 minutes a well worked move with Lescinsel Jean-Francois as the catalyst eventually saw Richard Cresswell slide the ball into the box for Ryan Flynn (31) to pounce and fire home.
In the second half. United added a second with Alan Sheehan (51) turning into his own net under the pressure of Cresswell after Stephen Quinn’s cross. With the final whistle looming substitute Ishmel Demontagnac (90) was handed a straight red card for the Magpies after he slammed the ball into a united players face. The win saw the Blades move up to second place after Sheffield Wednesday had lost (2-1) at Walsall the previous day.
Blades boss Danny Wilson now has a selection headache ahead of this weekend's game; Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) and Chris Morgan (knee) are both absent through injury. However the former Barnsley boss could be boosted by the return of midfielder Kevin McDonald (hamstring) from injury. Meanwhile defender Neill Collins who has been absent recently through bereavement returned to the side in the Blades 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.
Blades boss Danny Wilson could field Kevin McDonald, 23 to face his former club. He joined Meadow Lane on loan from Burnley in February 2011 until the end of the season – making his debut in a 2-0 home defeat to Exeter City and went onto make 10 (+1) appearances for the club.
Nott's County have gone from strength to strength since the recent arrival of former Sheffield United and Manchester City defender Keith Curle as manager on 20 February 2012. They faced Sheffield Wednesday at home last Saturday but lost there first game in six matches when goals from Ryan Lowe (53) and Gary Madine (66) slipped the Owls into a two goal lead - they did however manage to pull one back via Lloyd Sam (88) on his debut but couldn't draw the match level; 1-2.
Magpies boss Keith Curle could see the return of veteran striker Lee Hughes, he was eligible to face the Owls after serving a three match suspension but was sounded out against their S6 opposition. Meanwhile Stephen Hunt (ankle) and Jude Stirling (thigh) are both sidelined through injury.
Defender Jon Harley and striker Jonathan Forte could both feature against there former club. Harley, 32 spent two successful loan spells at Bramall Lane (October 2002 to January 2003 & September 2003 to October 2003) before signing permanently on a free transfer in June 2004 from Fulham. He initially made his debut in a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and went onto play a total of 71 (+1) appearances and netted twice for the Blades. He moved to Burnley on loan in August 2005 before making a full £75,000 transfer to the Turf Moor club.
Forte, 25 came through the youth ranks at Sheffield United, signing professional terms in July 2003 - he made his debut as a substitutes in a 3-0 FA Cup victory at Nottingham Forest in January 2004 and scored his only United goal the following season in a 3-2 defeat at Leicester City. He went onto make a total of 5 (+36) appearances and scored just once before making a move to Scunthorpe United in July 2007.
He is currently on loan from Southampton and has made an impact for the club; scoring an hat-trick recently as the Magpies claimed an unlikely 4-2 win at Charlton Athletic. The Barbados striker can also list Doncaster Rovers, Rotherham United and Preston North End as his former clubs.