Blades Vs Hartlepool

Sheffield United will go into the game against Hartlepool without Shaun Miller who has been ruled out for what is expecting to be the season and Neil Collins who had a fractured cheek bone and will be out for up to 3 months. Hartlepool who have only won one game this season sit at the bottom of the table with only 9 points on the board with their only win coming against United last opponents Scunthorpe where they won 2-0 with scorers  been Jonathan Franks and Luke James. Hartlepool have changed managers to John Hughes after Neale Cooper was sacked mid-season after poor run of results they have played well against the big teams  as well. The Blades will look to take advantage of  the monkey hangers poor form and steer their way to another victory and go into 2013 top of the table. United have been very clinical in the final third with Miller and Kitson who scored last time out against these  where United won 2-1 with Kitson and Gallagher scoring. The Blades are expecting a big crowd for their second home game of the week.  "When people look at the league they see it is top versus bottom and to many people it is perhaps a forgone conclusion - not us.

"We expect to win the game, but we appreciate it will be a tough afternoon and we must earn the right to let our ability do the talking.

"Against Scunthorpe, another struggling team, short on confidence, you saw the difference of scoring an early goal. When confidence is fragile that opening goal is often critical, so let's get the first goal and see what happens, but I would happily take 1-0 now.

"Football is capable of turning up some unusual results when they are least expected, so let's not get caught cold."

Team News  

• Another enforced change for boss Danny Wilson will be at right-back, with Tony McMahon unavailable as he serves a one-match suspension after accumulating five bookings.Mark 
• Howard and Lecsinel Jean-Francois continue to edge nearer to a return to competitive action, although neither are expected to make Saturday's matchday 18.
•  Rock bottom Hartlepool will have Neil Austin and Jack Baldwin available again after suspension, whilst Simon Walton (hamstring) and Nathan Luscombe (knee) should feature after returning to action on Boxing Day, along with Luke James who overcame a bout of tonsillitis.