Zejtun Corinthians vs. Sheffield United

Last updated : 20 July 2012 By @blades_mad1889

The Blades kick-started their 2012-13 preparations with a 1-1 draw at Ilkeston FC last Wednesday night - Harry Maguire netted for the Blades whilst his brother Joe scored for the hosts. United also have fixtures away from home arranged against Rotherham United (31 July), Hallam (2 August), Morecambe (4 August) and Matlock Town (8 August) this summer.

Blades boss Danny Wilson revealed that eleven players where released this summer in a big shape up after failing to win promotion to the Championship; James Beattie and ex-Manchester City forward Ched Evans, Steve Simonsen, Andy Taylor, Johannes Ertl, Ched Evans, James Beattie, Connor Brown, Jack Adams, Seamus Conneely, Corey Gregory, Marc Warren and Shane Murray all left but Kevin McDonald, Chris Porter and Lee Williamson have all been offered new deals to stay.

United will be without defender Lescinel Jean-Francois who is sidelined for the summer through injury. Howevertrialists ; Jack Dean (ex-Fulham), Darryl Westlake (ex-Walsall) and Luke Foster (ex- Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United) may also travel with the Blades.

Last season Zejtun finished fourth in the Maltese First Division - the countries second tier in their league pyramid system. In August 2010 the Maltese outfit spent four days in the Steel City and played a friendly against non-league Hallam to celebrate the clubs 150th anniversary with the game ending in a 3-3 draw.