The Blades pre-season has been quite successful to date, winning all of their three matches against Ilkeston (1-0), Cheltenham Town (3-1) and more recently Exeter City (2-1) last Thursday night.
Tomorrow's testimonial friendly fixture with Newcastle United will be the first of three remaining fixtures before the start of the season on 8th August at Gillingham. With games against Macclesfield Town (a) and Hull City (h) this fixture at home to the famous St James Park club will prove to be the biggest test.
Despite retired Morgan is planning on making it to the field once again at some stage during the game. He told the Sheffield Star; “Even if I can last two or three minutes, hopefully I can get out there. I just want to be on at the end to say thanks to everyone who turns up. I will definitely be trying to make a little cameo appearance.
“It’s a different type of testimonial. When we got Newcastle, they were keen to have it as a proper friendly. The same goes for us here, with the old gaffer and also the new one coming in. It’s not a case of old players coming back. We’ll be taking it seriously, the same as them.”
In July 2003 the Barnsley born defender left his hometown club (turning down a deal at West Bromwich Albion) to join the Blades on a free transfer. He made his debut during the 0-0 heatwave match at home to Gillingham and went onto play 304 (+ 7) times for United and score 16 goals throughout his Bramall Lane playing career.
His career with SUFC didn't go uneventful. He was part of the side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2006 (and subsequently relegated), and featured in the Play-Off Final defeat to Burnley in 2009. His last appearance came on 30 October 2011 in a 1-0 defeat to Coventry City and as a result of injury was eventually forced to retire.
Like United, Newcastle have seen a change of manager this summer via the appointment of Steve McLaren from Derby County and he has been swift in the transfer market already. He has allowed Adam Campbell to join Nott's County on a free transfer and loaned Sammy Ameobi to Cardiff City whilst completing the signings of Georgio Wijnaldum (from PSV Eindhoven) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht) - both for a combined fee of £29,000,000!
With the rumours that Mario Baloteli is to leave Anfield and join the North East club there would be few surprised if the former England boss doesn't more to his squad of players before the start of the season.
As part of their pre-season preparations the Magpies have embarked on a tour of the United States. A one-nil victory at Gateshead started the ball rolling before (in the States) they lost to Mexican side Club Atlas (1-2). An own goal was enough to secure victory over Sacramento Republic but finished their tour with a defeat to MLS side Portland Timbers in a dramatic 4-3 defeat. They have further friendlies to play out before the season kicks off at home to Southampton on 9th August. They firstly travel to York City this Wednesday before hosting German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Toon are expected be without Remy Cabella, Sylvain Marveaux, Emmanuel Riviere and Curtis Good through injury when they travel to Bramall Lane tomorrow. However they will be boosted by the return of Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini who has recovered from an Achilles injury to face the Blades.