BLADES VS SCUNNY PREVIEW

Well what difference a year makes United are now riding high in the League and couple of years ago they were in the relegation zone. This week's game against Scunthorpe will be a difficult game to play with them fighting it out near the bottom.

Blades v Scunthorpe - team news

Chris Porter (hip) is expected to be available for Wednesday's Boxing Day clash with Scunthorpe United at Bramall Lane.

The striker missed Saturday's win at Crawley Town and was replaced by the fit-again Dave Kitson, although boss Danny Wilson revealed after the game at the Broadfield Stadium that Porter's problem was minor one.

The aforementioned Kitson will be hoping to retain his place against the Iron after coming through 70 minutes unscathed against the Red Devils at the weekend.

Mark Howard and Lecsinel Jean-Francois remain on course for a return to action in the New Year.

Scunthorpe, who didn't play at the weekend, could have on-loan striker Nathan Ellington (calf) available again after he made a return to training last week.

Josh Walker (ankle) has missed the last two matches and is expected to miss out on Wednesday, whilst David Mirfin (knee) won't feature against his boyhood club.

Damien Mozika and Michael Collins could retain their place in Brian Laws starting XI, after impressing in the 3-1 victory at Leyton Orient.

Wilson says "  "It will be a tough game, regardless of Scunthorpe's league position. We expect a real contest because Brian Laws knows that place inside out.
"He will certainly know our strengths so I would have thought he would be quietly confident of surprising a few people.

"They are a different outfit to the one we faced in September, but we are focusing on ourselves. We are at home and the emphasis and expectation is on us to come out and attack."

On the importance of maintaining their position at the helm of League One, Wilson concluded: "Christmas is a crucial period for us, like everyone else. We want to enter the New Year dictating the pace.