Preview: Sheffield United vs. Middlesbrough

Last updated : 05 April 2011 By @blades_mad1889

Earlier in the season it was Boro who got the upper hand over the Blades, winning 1-0 with a goal from Kris Boyd (now with Nottingham Forest) who netted his first goal for his new club since leaving Glasgow Rangers.

United come into this game following a 3-0 defeat at league leaders Queens Park Rangers; Wayne Routledge (29 & 66 minutes) netted a brace for the R’s whilst Argentine Alejandro Faurlin (52) scored in between.

Blades boss Micky Adams is without a number of players; Johannes Ertl (knee), Ryan France (back), Richard Wright (thigh) and Andy Taylor (leg) are all missing through injury.

The Blades will be without midfielder Lee Williamson who is serving a third of a four match ban having been sent off at Watford. He will also miss this Tuesday’s tie with Cardiff City at Bramall Lane.

Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Nosworthy, Lowry, Collins, Mattock, Bogdanovic, Montgomery, Quinn, Doyle, Cresswell, Henderson.

Middlesbrough staged a comeback last weekend, having been 3-1 down they eventually drew 3-3 at home to Leicester City who are planning a late charge on the play-offs, it was certainly an entertaining game down at the Riverside.

It was the Foxes who took the lead through a formidable Yakubu Aiyegbeni (5) early in the game, but the Reds hit back through Marvin Emnes (14) before on-loan Everton striker Yakubu (45 & 49) scored twice either side of the break to complete his hat-trick and net his seventh City goal this season.

Defender Rhys Williams (55) volleyed home to put the home side in touching distance of a point, but the game turned on its head when on 77 minutes Foxes defender Jeffrey Bruma was dismissed for his second bookable offence with substitute Stephen McManus (90+4) leaving a leveller late; 3-3.

Boro boss Tony Mowbray could see Seb Hines (ankle) return to the starting line up now he has recovered from his injury. Meanwhile he is without Leroy Lita (hamstring) whilst Lee Miller (Scunthorpe United) and Kris Boyd (Nottingham Forest) are both out on loan giving Mowbray a selection headache in attack.

Expected Eleven: Smith, Williams, Davies, Hines, McMahon, Bennett, Taylor, Smallwood, Arca, McDonald, Emnes.