Sheffield United vs. Shrewsbury Town

Last updated : 06 February 2014 By @blades_mad1889

Sheffield United barged there way through their FA Cup tie at Fulham with a last gasp winner, coming 30 seconds towards the end of extra-time to book a place in round 5 and at home to Nottingham Forest. With just seconds to space United had won a corner, Baxter's in swinger was headed back across goal from the leaping Maguire and Shaun Miller was on hand unmarked to stoop home his header.

The Blades are without Captain Michael Doyle who serves the third of a three match ban following his dismissal against Fulham at Bramall Lane. He missed the 3-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra last Saturday as well as Tuesday night’s win in London will be absent for the arrival of Shrewsbury Town this weekend. Meanwhile striker Billy Paynter (on loan from Doncaster Rovers) will be available after being cup-tied at Craven Cottage.

However, having played two hours of football Nigel Clough may decide to include fresh faces this weekend with George Long, Matt Hill and Jose Baxter looking for a re-start and Sean McGinty, Jasper Johns, Callum McFadzean and Joe Ironside looked to be called upon in the wings.

Blades boss Clough could field Stephen McGinn and Chris Porter to face their former clubs. McGinn, 24 joined the Shrews on loan from Watford between January and April 2013; he made his debut in a 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe United and later netted in their 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United. He returned to Vicarage Road having made 12 (+6) appearances and scored twice.

Porter was sent to Town on loan from United on a month’s loan in February 2013, he scored on his debut - a 2-0 win at Tranmere Rovers in front of the Sky cameras. This was his own goal in the 4 (+1) appearances he made for the Shropshire side.

Possible Blades Line-Up (4-4-2):

LONG

BRAYFORD - MAGUIRE - COLLINS (C) - HILL

FLYNN - McGINN - COADY - MURPHY

PAYNTER - BAXTER

Shrewsbury Town lay just in the relegation zone (21st) in the League One table - in fact there is only one point separating both the 'Salop' and The Blades. However they did well in their last outing, drawing 1-1 with leaders Brentford who of course travel to the Lane next Tuesday night also.

Tom Eaves grabbed a stunning last-minute equaliser as lowly Shrewsbury held League One leaders Brentford to a 1-1 draw. Shrewsbury, under caretaker manager Mike Jackson for the second time, had not scored a goal at Greenhous Meadow in more than 10 hours of football until Eaves rifled a 15-yard shot to the top corner of the net to peg back the Bees. The Londoners had led through Marcello Trotta's 68th-minute goal. The Shrews competed well in a goalless first half as they proved the equals of the Bees.

Eaves fired wide of the near post early on before Bahrudin Atajic, a striker on loan from Celtic, volleyed narrowly over from Paul Parry's left-wing cross. Brentford started to ask more questions as the contest developed and twice the dangerous Trotta was narrowly off target. Eaves thought he had scored early in the second half only for his header to be nodded off the line by Adam Forshaw. Brentford, now 18 games unbeaten, broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. Alan Judge fell under a challenge from Ryan Woods with referee Mark Heywood pointing straight to the penalty spot.

Chris Weale saved Trotta's spot-kick only for the rebound to go straight back to the Italian to score his 11th goal of the season. Shrewsbury were determined to end a run of six straight home defeats and thanks to Eaves, on loan from Bolton, they did just that.

Shrews could field Danny Coyne, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and David McAlister to face their former club. Coyne, 40 was a registered keeper with Sheffield United between November 2012 and July 2013 has cover to George Long and the then injured Mark Howard but he left the club having failed to make any professional appearances.

McAllister, 24 was signed by Micky Adams in January 2011 from Irish outfit St Patrick's Athletic; he made his debut as a second half substitute for Lee Williamson during their 3-1 FA Cup defeat at home to Aston Villa. He played a further two league games that season - scoring against Bristol City in a 3-2 win as the Blades failed to survive their relegation battle. He spent time on loan at Shrewsbury before; in January 2013 he made a permanent move to the Shrews having made 18 (+12) appearances for the Bramall Lane club and scored twice.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was signed on loan by Danny Wilson in August 2011 (from Wolverhampton Wanderers), making his debut in a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United in the league cup (United winning 4-3 on penalties) and scored his only goal in a 4-0 win over Bury. Injury put paid to his time at Bramall Lane and he returned to Molineux having made 6 (+5) appearances and scored one goal.

Meanwhile Midfielders Aaron Wildig and Luke Summerfield (both thigh) will be assessed having missed out of late.

Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Shrewsbury Town 0