Town have injury concerns regarding strikers Jon Walters and Pablo Couñago, and midfielder Alan Quinn ahead of Tuesday's home game with Sheffield United (KO 7.45pm). Walters has been suffering with a knee problem for some time, while Quinn missed Saturday's trip to Southampton due to an ankle injury.

Boss Jim Magilton said: “We have been wrapping Jon up in cotton wool because he has had a problem with his knee. He took a knock on it early on Saturday, so we will have to see how he is later.

“We will see how Alan is today but he didn't take him to Southampton so he could have extra time to get fit and he has responded well to treatment.”

Couñago has a dead leg, while midfielder Velice Sumulikoski picked up a minor knock but is not considered a doubt for the visit by the Blades.

Magilton's selection will greatly depend on the fitness of those undergoing treatment with Walters virtually the first name on the teamsheet at present.

Stephen Bywater will start in goal, while the Town manager also has selection issues at full-back. Magilton could look at recalling Sito in place of Dan Harding with the Spaniard coming in at right-back at David Wright moving across to the left.

Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor are favourites for the central defensive roles, although Alex Bruce will be hoping for a return to the side.

In midfield, Quinn will want to return on the left against his old club, but if he misses out Danny Haynes could come back into the side or Walters could be used in his midfield role.

David Norris will be on the right, while Owen Garvan impressed as a sub alongside Velice Sumulikoski at Southampton and could replace Tommy Miller in the centre with the Macedonian.

Up front, an Alan Lee-Pablo Couñago combination was used on Saturday and, depending on injuries, could be fielded again, although Walters could switch from midfield for either player.

New Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell has been unimpressed with his players up to now and says he will make changes to his squad if there isn't an improvement: "If it doesn't happen, then I've got to sit down with the chairman and have a chat about certain things.

"I've been in the job only 14 days but that carries no weight now. You've got to have courage in sport.

"That can take many forms. It could be courage to try to make a pass, courage to have a shot or the courage just to keep plugging away."

The Blades lost 2-0 at home to Charlton at the weekend and currently languish in 18th place in the Championship.

Alan Quinn's younger brother Stephen won't make the trip to Suffolk after being red-carded against the Addicks, while winger Lee Martin is out with a knee ligament injury.

Town and the ‘Norwich of the North' have enjoyed some titanic battles over the last decade or so, but the Blades have a poor record at Portman Road, their last victory having come in 1974/75 when they won 1-0.

Overall, Town have won 21 games between the two clubs (20 in the league), 21 (18) have ended in draws and the Blades have won 17 (15). Earlier in the season, two goals from James Beattie, including a very dubious penalty, and one from Keith Gillespie gave the South Yorkshiremen a 3-1 victory over the Blues, Jon Walters scoring Town's goal.

Tuesday's referee is Town's old pal Kevin Friend from Leicestershire, who has shown 76 yellow and nine red cards in 30 games this season. Friend's last Town game was the 1-1 draw at Plymouth in which he sent off Fabian Wilnis for a two-footed lunge and booked Pablo Couñago, Alex Bruce, Tommy Miller and Neil Alexander and awarded the Pilgrims a highly dubious late penalty.

Last season in the same fixture Friend again red-carded Wilnis, more controversially on that occasion, and booked six Town players in what was a truly astonishing display. Friend also took control of the Blues' 1-0 FA Cup victory over Jon Walters's Chester at Portman Road last season and has a reputation for favouring home sides.

Likely squad: Bywater, Colgan, Wright, Harding, Sito, De Vos, Naylor, Bruce, Wilnis, Garvan, Sumulikoski, Miller, Walters, Norris, Quinn, Haynes, Trotter, Lee, Couñago.

Photo: Action Images

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