Sheffield United will be without skipper Chris Morgan when they face the Blues on Saturday with the central defender having been ruled out for the season with cruciate knee ligament damage. Morgan, 32, suffered the injury during Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Coventry City.
Manager Gary Speed said: "It's a massive blow for both Chris and the club and realistically we won't see him in action again until pre-season training next July.
"The lads we have that can play in the central defender's role will miss his experience and spirit, but I'm sure they will do all in their power to make up for his absence."
The Blues go to Bramall Lane on Saturday looking for their first victory on Blades territory since February 2005 when a debut goal from David Unsworth and a second half strike by Shefki Kuqi saw them to a 2-0 win.