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Haynes to Miss Trip to Bramall Lane
Haynes to Miss Trip to Bramall Lane
Monday, 5th Nov 2007 12:33

Boss Jim Magilton again has to decide on his formation when the Blues travel to Sheffield United on Tuesday still looking for their first away win of the season. Town are likely to be without striker Danny Haynes, who injured his leg at Norwich.

Magilton utilised his 4-4-2 home formation at Norwich on Sunday, but even though they went two goals up, the Blues never got into top gear. The Town manager could revert to the 4-5-1 look he has often used away this season, despite its failure to bring a victory up to now.

A switch to a five-man midfield could see Tommy Miller return from the ankle injury which has kept him out of action since the trip to QPR. Miller's condition will be assessed before a decision is made on whether he starts at Bramall Lane.

If Magilton is thinking of returning to a three-man central midfield, Liam Trotter may be in line for his first start. The FA Youth Cup-winner was impressive as a late sub at Carrow Road.

Even if Miller is fit, Trotter could come in for Sylvain Legwinski, who is yet to reach full fitness after missing pre-season and may not be ready for two starts in three days.

Owen Garvan is likely to keep his place regardless of formation with Jon Walters continuing on the right, despite a minor knee injury. Billy Clarke will probably continue on the left, although Gary Roberts and Jaime Peters may hope for a return to first team action. Gavin Williams is expected to return to action later in the month.

At the back, Neil Alexander has cemented his place between the sticks in recent weeks, but Magilton may choose to make changes to his back four. The Town manager was unimpressed with the way his backline allowed Norwich to grab two second half goals on Sunday and Fabian Wilnis could well be left out against the Blades.

The Dutchman failed to get to grips with the aerial threat posed by John Hartson at Carrow Road and could be replaced by either Alex Bruce or Richard Naylor alongside skipper Jason De Vos. Dan Harding and David Wright look certain to continue in the full-back roles.

Alan Lee will start up front, having netted his eighth goal of the season at Norwich, while Pablo Couñago's presence in the starting line-up will depend on Magilton's formation choice.

Danny Haynes hurt his leg shortly after being introduced as a sub at Carrow Road and looks unlikely to be involved on Tuesday. Dean Bowditch, in a rich vein of scoring form in the reserves, looks likely to be on the bench as his replacement.

Magilton says he will make changes to his side for Town's second game in three days: “We need fresh legs. It is going to be a big ask for some of them, so we need to freshen things up.

“We also have a big game on Saturday before the break, so it is a case of seeing how far we can push them. There is all the travelling too, and all within 48 hours.”

Sheffield United have struggled so far this season under Bryan Robson's management and currently find themselves 17th in the Championship having been relegated last season.

Robson will be without midfielder Lee Hendrie, who underwent a hernia operation in the summer, and Rob Hulse, a long-term absentee after breaking his leg last season. Keeper Paddy Kenny missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Burnley due to a swollen shin. One-time Town target Ian Bennett deputised.

Town's last visit to Bramall Lane ended in a 2-0 defeat during the Blades' 2005/06 promotion season, while the Portman Road fixture was a 1-1 draw.

The Blues have a good record against the Blades, winning 21 matches between the two sides (20 in the league), drawing 21 (18) and losing 16 (14).

Brazilian legend Pele will watch Tuesday's game, having brought over a Sao Paulo U17 side to play games against Blades youngsters as part of a link-up between the two clubs.

Tuesday's referee will be Graham Laws from Tyne and Wear, who has shown 26 yellow cards and one red in nine games so far this season. Laws's last Town match was the 3-2 home victory over Colchester United last season in which debutant David Wright was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity when the ball appeared to strike his body rather than his hand.

Likely squad: Alexander, Supple, Harding, Wright, De Vos, Naylor, Wilnis, Bruce, Casement, Garvan, Legwinski, T Miller, Trotter, Walters, Clarke, Peters, Roberts, Lee, Couñago, Bowditch.


Photo: Action Images



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