Sheffield United

Sheffield United 1-1 Liverpool
Sheffield United held Liverpool to a draw to make a promising return to the Premiership after a 12-year absence. United took the lead early in the second half as Rob Hulse headed home to punish some sloppy Liverpool defending. For the next 20 minutes, Liverpool camped inside the United half as Sami Hyypia hit the woodwork with a header before Robbie Fowler equalised. Fowler calmly stroked home a penalty after referee Rob Styles ruled Chris Morgan had fouled Steven Gerrard. If Liverpool were probably worth a point, the penalty appeared somewhat fortuitous, with Morgan seeming to make little contact with the Liverpool captain. As well as the loss of two points, the game proved a costly encounter in other ways for the visitors, who lost defenders John Arne Riise and Jamie Carragher to injury in the first half. United gave Liverpool a real jolt when they scored within 50 seconds of the second half starting. Hulse, making his United debut, easily lost his marker Fabio Aurelio to glance a header past Jose Reina from a Michael Tonge free-kick. Liverpool surged forward and almost equalised immediately when Hyypia's angled header from a corner hit a post. Fowler and Mark Gonzalez also found themselves in promising positions only to lose their footing. Fowler then failed to get any purchase on a cross from Craig Bellamy, who also tested United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny with a diving header. United opted to pack their midfield in the first half in order to disrupt Liverpool's fluency. It was a tactic that served the home side well. When United did get the ball forward to Danny Webber, his trickery caused the visitors some problems. Liverpool took their time to get into the game but twice went close midway through the first half. Riise arrowed in a cross from the left that required Chris Morgan to hastily head clear. Then Kenny had to react quickly to save Chris Armstrong's misdirected clearance from Gerrard's free-kick. Riise hurt his ankle in the first incident and was stretchered off, with Chilean Gonzalez coming on. Having established some degree of dominance, Liverpool were also hit by the loss of Carragher, who was replaced by Daniel Agger. Despite the setbacks, they continued to threaten. Kenny had to tip Aurelio's dipping free-kick over the crossbar while Fowler should have given Liverpool the lead a minute before the interval. After being freed by Bellamy, the former England international wasted the chance when he miscontrolled. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"It's disappointing to be talking about one penalty incident because I thought we were magnificent. \"A lot of people have written us off this season, but I thought we played football the right way when we could. \"We were against a very good side who will go very close this season. In the end it was a fair result.\" Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez: \"It was a clear penalty and a red card. It's as simple as that. \"Gerrard said he felt contact, the referee said penalty so it should be a straight red card as he is the last player in front of the keeper. \"But I'm not annoyed he wasn't sent off. Instead we should analyse every other free-kick and throw in.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Bromby (Leigertwood 75), Morgan, Unsworth, Ifill (Gillespie 59), Jagielka, Tonge, Armstrong, Hulse (Akinbiyi 86), Webber. Subs Not Used: Sommeil, Nade. Booked: Morgan. Goals: Hulse 46. Liverpool: Reina, Kromkamp, Hyypia, Carragher (Agger 34), Riise (Gonzalez 26), Gerrard, Sissoko, Zenden, Aurelio, Fowler (Pennant 83), Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Dudek, Crouch. Booked: Sissoko, Kromkamp. Goals: Fowler 70 pen. Att: 31,726. Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

Tottenham 2-0 Sheff Utd
Dimitar Berbatov opened his Premiership goal account as Spurs cruised past top-flight newcomers Sheffield United. Spurs' £10m summer capture from Bayer Leverkusen turned home from close range after seven minutes following good work by the outstanding Aaron Lennon. And he was the provider nine minutes later, heading into the path of Jermaine Jenas to add a second. Neil Warnock's side put up spirited resistance to Spurs after the break, but barely created a serious chance. It was a comfortable night's work for Tottenham as they recorded their first win of the season, while it was a harsh lesson in Premiership life for Neil Warnock's side. Berbatov had already signalled his threat by narrowly failing to reach Keane's deep cross after five minutes - but the Bulgarian was on target two minutes later to put Spurs in front. Lennon gave Berbatov the simplest of tasks inside the six-yard box after turning Chris Armstrong inside out on the right flank. The Blades, who were such a tough proposition in getting a point against Liverpool on the opening day of the season, were finding Spurs a sterner test. And it was no surprise when they extended their lead after 16 minutes, with Berbatov involved again as creator. He headed Robbie Keane's long ball into the path of Jenas, who cleverly rounded Paddy Kenny before steering into an empty net. Spurs, and Berbatov in particular, were being allowed far too much freedom, and Kenny was forced to make a fine diving save low to his right as he threatened to add a third. The visitors were barely seen as an attacking force as Spurs looked well on their way to making amends for the defeat at Bolton in the opening game of their campaign. Warnock's side had not heeded the lesson of the first half, and once again Berbatov was left in acres of space to set up Lee Young-Pyo after 55 minutes, but the defender fired wastefully over the top. Spurs were looking dangerous every time they attacked, and Keane was guilty of another miss when he dragged Lennon's cross wide. Sheffield United had enjoyed occasional periods of possession after the break, but were unable to carve out any meaningful opportunities. But they almost grabbed a lifeline with 16 minutes left when Adi Akinbiyi was only just unable to apply a crucial touch six yards out. Lennon was in rampant mood and another dangerous cross, this time from the left, was turned only inches wide of his own goal by Phil Jagielka. Spurs boss Martin Jol made a change with nine minutes left, sending on Jermain Defoe for Keane. And the England striker swiftly determined to get in on the act with two powerful drives that tested the busy Kenny. As the seconds ran out, Edgar Davids almost rounded the evening off in style with a rising drive that was turned over by Kenny. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spurs coach Martin Jol: \"It was a very pleasing performance. Robbie Keane is such a clever player and Dimitar Berbaov played very well, so we caused them a lot of problems. \"Defensively we were very sound, so it was a good night for us. We wanted to do well, especially after losing our first game at Bolton. \"Jermain Defoe also did well when he came on. It is not a problem having so many strikers, it is a luxury and they all did well and showed how much the want to play for Spurs.\" Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock: \"For the first 25 minutes we couldn't get near them. We lost three players today and we were a bit sluggish. \"But we battled really well and I'm very proud of them. We were beaten by a very good side and I thought Robbie Keane was absolutely fantastic - what can you say about players of that quality?\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham: Robinson, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Davenport, Lee, Lennon, Jenas, Tainio (Zokora 69), Davids, Berbatov, Keane (Defoe 82). Subs Not Used: Cerny, Stalteri, Gardner. Goals: Berbatov 7, Jenas 17. Sheff Utd: Kenny, Sommeil (Montgomery 60), Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth (Nade 61), Gillespie (Alan Quinn 80), Jagielka, Tonge, Armstrong, Akinbiyi, Webber. Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Leigertwood. Booked: Bromby. Att: 35,287 Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Fulham v Sheff Utd
Fulham are set to name an unchanged side, with Denmark midfielder Claus Jensen still out with a calf injury. Simon Elliott (calf), Mark Pembridge (Achilles) and Mark Crossley (back) are also unavailable through injury. Sheffield United's Rob Hulse is hoping to recover from a thigh strain, and if he does so, he will partner Danny Webber with Ade Akinbiyi dropping out. Paul Ifill (illness), Derek Geary (groin), Steve Kabba (groin) and Claude Davis (knee) are all still out. Fulham (from): Niemi, Drobny, Queudrue, Rosenior, Volz, Knight, Bocanegra, Pearce, Christanval, Zakuani, Brown, Boa Morte, Diop, Bullard, Elrich, Helguson, McBride, John, Radzinski, Runstrom. Sheffield United (from): Kenny, Kozluk, Bromby, Morgan, Sommeil, Unsworth, Jagielka, Tonge, Montgomery, Li Tie, Leigertwood, Ifill, Hulse, Webber, Akinbiyi, Nade, Shipperley, Geary, Quinn, Annerson. Fulham boss Chris Coleman: \"If we win then we can jump into the top 10. I know it would only be after three games but we haven't been there for two years so psychologically, it would be good. \"I know it's still early doors but that is a carrot for us. \"If we don't win we will have played two home games without a win so our confidence would be hit.\" Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock: I will tell the lads to be a little bit brave, to go out and try to win the game and if we get beaten, we get beaten. It is the wins that will keep you up. \"Apart from the top four or five clubs you have got to try to win every game. I think we have got to go there and be positive and see where it takes us. \"It is great to be in the Premiership, it was super driving up to White Hart Lane and overall the lads have given a good account of themselves - apart from the first 20 minutes at Tottenham when we went 2-0 down.\"

Fulham 1-0 Sheff Utd
Jimmy Bullard's superb strike gave Fulham their first win of the season. Bullard was in great form throughout and capped his excellent display with a free-kick of top quality, which curled into the top left-hand corner. That was in the 40th minute, but Fulham had nearly opened the scoring before that when Collins John hit the foot of the upright with a low shot in the box. Bullard later crashed a shot against the post, while a Mikele Leigertwood volley was United's only real effort. For a while, it had seemed that the only player who would provide a goal threat was Bullard. He nearly profited from a speculative shot early on, which Paddy Kenny allowed to squirm out of his grasp and out for a corner. Shortly after Bullard tried his luck from distance again, this time Kenny easily smothered the effort. Kenny told the United staff he was feeling unwell during the match but without a replacement keeper on the bench, he had to continue. However, it is unlikely that two keepers would have prevented Bullard's free-kick from sailing in. In a game of low quality, Fulham deserved to win - their defence holding firm against a blunt United attack, while their own attack should have added more than the one goal. The only time Fulham really looked in trouble was when Danny Webber found space in the penalty area and tucked the ball into the corner - only for the effort to be disallowed for offside. The tempo dipped after the break and newly-promoted United struggled to make an impression. The hosts were little better for most of the time but their top-flight experience told, with Papa Bouba Diop the difference in midfield. But sensing their need to pick up points at places like Fulham, United began to press on. The trouble was they lacked the know-how to make any inroads and instead presented their opponents with opportunities for the counter-attack. And Fulham should have scored their second and killed the game when substitute Tomasz Radzinski was put through by Bullard. But he appeared short of confidence and scuffed his delivery across the box and could only get a hopeful header on the rebound. Bullard did his best to rescue a wasted chance and thumped the loose ball with his right boot and deserved better than to see the ball smash off the woodwork. Late on, Brian McBride fizzed a low shot across the box and wide of the upright after he had been played clean through. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham manager Chris Coleman: \"On the balance of play and on chances we should have been ahead by more than one goal. \"That is always a cautious scoreline and we were hanging on a little bit during the last 15 minutes. \"But we broke well - hitting the post twice - and anything less than three points would have been a travesty.\" Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"I thought Fulham wasted 10 or 15 minutes and we only played an extra five - we have to learn from that. \"I'm disappointed with the free-kick which led to their goal. It was never a free-kick. It was a fabulous finish but never a free-kick. \"I told referee Graham Poll it was never a free-kick in a million years.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Christanval, Pearce, Queudrue, Brown (Radzinski 68), Diop, Bullard, Boa Morte, John (Helguson 67), McBride. Subs Not Used: Drobny, Volz, Bocanegra. Booked: Diop, Helguson, Bullard. Goals: Bullard 40. Sheff Utd: Kenny, Bromby (Sommeil 80), Morgan, Jagielka, Unsworth, Montgomery (Nade 64), Tonge (Alan Quinn 72), Leigertwood, Armstrong, Hulse, Webber. Subs Not Used: Bennett, Akinbiyi. Booked: Tonge, Leigertwood, Alan Quinn. Att: 18,362. Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Kazim-Richards poised for Blades
Brighton have accepted a bid from Sheffield United for unsettled striker Colin Kazim-Richards. The 20-year-old, who handed in a transfer request after being dropped for the first game of the season, is set to discuss terms with the Blades. McGhee told the club's website: \"Colin no longer wished to play for Brighton - as a result we have reluctantly accepted a bid from Sheffield United. \"I am really disappointed and feel personally let down by Colin.\"

Warnock still seeking new players
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock still hopes to bring new faces to Bramall Lane after only making one signing on transfer deadline day. The Blades' capture of Brighton's Colin Kazim-Richards for £150,000 was their only deadline day deal. But Warnock said: \"The legislation allows us to sign those who are not attached to other clubs. \"We're always looking, and we'll never stop looking. That's something we do as you never know who is out there.\" Warnock recently looked at Senegal international Khalilou Fadiga, who is still searching for a club after being released by Bolton at the end of last season. The 31-year-old, though, has not been taken on by the Blades as he is understood to be short of fitness due to a lack of a pre-season training programme. But Warnock is continuing to scour the market for out-of-contract players who can still be signed by clubs. Meanwhile, centre-back Claude Davis has an outside chance of making his debut for United in Saturday's match with Blackburn, as the £3m club-record signing from Preston is back in training following a knee cartilage injury.

Montgomery facing six weeks out
Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery faces up to six weeks out after an operation to rectify a long-standing ankle problem. Montgomery, 24, first picked up the injury in a Worthington Cup semi-final against Liverpool in January 2003. \"It's been giving him some trouble and it just hasn't improved,\" said Blades boss Neil Warnock. It was originally decided not to operate but a recent kick to the angle aggravated the problem. Warnock added: \"It stems originally from when he was carried off at Anfield in the semi-final three years ago. \"He had an X-ray at the time which revealed a bit of flaky bone, but the problem calmed down and it didn't require surgery. \"However, it flared up again recently following a kick and despite being able rest during the international break, the surgeon decided to remove the bone and stop the problem permanently.\"

Sheff Utd 0-0 Blackburn
Three penalty saves at Bramall Lane, one from Paddy Kenny and two from Brad Friedel, left both sides still without a league victory this season. Referee Mike Dean was the centre of attention in a frantic last 20 minutes. First Lucas Neill saw his penalty saved after Benni McCarthy had gone down theatrically, before Friedel matched his heroics against David Unsworth. And, unbelievably, Dean found time to award another spot-kick - against Andre Ooijer - but Friedel denied Rob Hulse. It was an astonishing end to what had been a lacklustre affair up until the death, though Blackburn might feel the better for the draw despite three apparently harsh penalties. Unsworth was the victim of the first poor penalty call, Dean adjudging he had felled McCarthy even though the South African striker appeared to slip on his own studs. United's protests were waved away but it mattered not when Kenny sprawled to his left to palm away Neill's spot-kick to send the home crowd into raptures. Apparently keen to even the score, Dean then pointed to the spot at the other end when Zurab Khizanishvili was adjudged to have held back Hulse - only for Friedel to beat away Unsworth's low spot-kick. And, to cap a stunning turn of events at the end of the game, the linesman flagged to award a penalty when Ooijer was harshly judged to have handled in chesting back to Friedel. Once again though, the American proved unbeatable as this time Hulse found him too good to pass despite a fiercely-struck penalty kick. There was no doubt that Friedel had earned Rovers the point having made a series of saves either side of his penalty heroics. Hulse, Chris Armstrong and Michael Tonge all tested the veteran without success, failing to earn United what would have been a deserved victory. Typically, with both sides searching for their first win of the season, it was a nervous match that bubbled under the surface for much of the game until Dean's late intervention. Ironically, Dean had earlier been proved correct in waving away penalty appeals from United - one for a superb tackle by Robbie Savage on Hulse and one for a ball-to-arm appeal against Brett Emerton - while Blackburn unsuccessfully appealed for a spot-kick when Francis Jeffers went down under Chris Morgan's challenge. Neill, given licence to roam from his left-back role, often proved Blackburn's front-runner in their rare attacks but he twice fired wide of the target when well-placed. But all that was just a prelude to the bizarre ending to the match, which made heroes of Friedel and Kenny, though the result left both sides still in the bottom three. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock: \"Obviously I thought ours were penalties and theirs wasn't. \"Theirs was typical of an international player going down in the area after simply being briefed on and the only thing that was missing was a couple of dramatic somersaults. \"As for ours - the first was sheer stupidity from the boy that he pulled Hulse, while the second whether it was shoulder or arm, that's where Ooijer controlled it.\" \"For all that I enjoyed the game. Blackburn manager Mark Hughes: \"I feel our play was more progressive and that we deserved at least a point. \"We are pleased that the two penalties have not cost us because I think the decisions were poor. \"Our keeper Brad Friedel has kept us in the game with those saves but he should never have been put in that position.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Utd: Kenny, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Morgan, Unsworth, Tonge (Alan Quinn 82), Jagielka, Sommeil, Ifill (Kazim-Richards 64), Hulse, Webber (Nade 17). Subs Not Used: Akinbiyi, Kozluk. Booked: Hulse, Tonge. Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Neill, Bentley, Tugay, Savage, Pedersen, Jeffers, McCarthy (Nonda 72). Subs Not Used: Brown, Mokoena, Gallagher, Peter. Booked: Khizanishvili, Savage. Att: 29,876 Ref: M Dean (Wirral).

Kidd snubs Sunderland for Blades
Sunderland boss Roy Keane's hopes of adding Brian Kidd to his staff were dashed when the ex-Manchester United coach agreed to join Sheffield United. Keane had targeted Kidd, 57, who was once United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man and who also worked with ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. Blades boss Neil Warnock told The Independent: \"I'm absolutely delighted. \"We needed to bring somebody else in, I've been working on him for six weeks, he's the sort of person we need.\" The post at Sheffield United will be Kidd's first since winning a battle with prostate cancer. Warnock insists that Stuart McCall's position as his number two will not be compromised by Kidd's arrival. \"He's just an extra body and brain, a very good and experienced one,\" added Warnock. \"The demands upon me now we are in the Premiership have meant sometimes Stuart has been talking to 26 players on his own. \"That's too much for anyone. We needed to bring somebody in and who could be better than somebody who has seen it all? \"Brian has worked with the best, has a great rapport with players and the other staff will enjoy working with him.\" Kidd began his coaching career at Barrow and briefly managed Preston before returning to Old Trafford as youth team coach in 1988. He stepped up as Ferguson's assistant and spent three years in the role before taking over as manager of Blackburn in 1998. Kidd lasted a year at Ewood Park but soon returned to coaching with Leeds before being named England number two in 2003. He was forced to step down before Euro 2004 when diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Sheff Utd v Reading
Christian Nade is set to come into the Sheffield United attack for Danny Webber, who has a groin injury. Claude Davis, Leigh Bromby and Craig Short are unlikely to start and Michael Tonge will have a late fitness test. Reading's Ivar Ingimarsson has been cleared to play after a clash of heads against Manchester City left him with blurred vision, but no concussion. The centre-back's availability is a boost, with Sam Sodje and Aaron Brown still out, along with Dave Kitson. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United: Kenny, Unsworth, Morgan, Jagielka, Ifill, Akinbiyi, Hulse, Quinn, Sommeil, Kozluk, Tonge, Gillespie, Wright, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Shipperley, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Bennett. Reading (from): Hahnemann, Stack, Murty, de la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Halls, Seol, Little, Harper, Sidwell, Hunt, Oster, Gunnarsson, Convey, Lita, Doyle, Long. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United defender David Sommeil: \"I think we can stay in the Premiership but we need to win on Saturday to really start the season. \"We need to put the ball in the back of the net and it is difficult to score goals in the Premiership but we have created many, many chances. \"But when you play in this league at home you need to win.\"

Sheff Utd 1-2 Reading
Reading claimed a first away win in the Premiership by beating Sheffield United in a pulsating match at Bramall Lane. Kevin Doyle got Reading off to a lightning start, burying his shot past Ian Bennett after just 16 seconds. The visitors dominated a struggling Blades side and Seol Ki-Hyeon made it 2-0 with a low drive after 25 minutes. United rallied after the break and Rob Hulse hit home an Ade Akinbiyi header to close the gap but it was not enough and United remain without a league win. Doyle caught United by surprise when he burst through to score with just seconds on the clock. The Republic of Ireland striker needed just a handful of touches to control Bobby Convey's ball over the top before firing a left-footed shot straight past Bennett - an inauspicious start to the keeper's United debut. As Blades boss Neil Warnock simmered on the sidelines, his side conjured an immediate response with Akinbiyi using his muscle to put Reading under pressure. But the fightback was short-lived and a rampant Reading side poured forward with some excellent passing through midfield from Steve Sidwell and Convey. Ki-Hyeon, contributing some good work down the right, saw his shot well saved by Bennett and minutes later James Harper was inches away as his drilled effort hit the far-post. A second goal for the visitors seemed inevitable and it came after 25 minutes when Ki-Hyeon hammered home from Leroy Lita's neat lay-off. It was the South Korean's first goal since his £1.5m summer move from Wolves. United looked increasingly out of their depth against their fellow Premiership newcomers and their brief forays forward were quickly dealt with by Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson Akinbiyi continued to work hard up while Mikele Leigertwood and Phil Jagielka both sent shots sailing high and wide. But as the half-time whistle blew, the Blades retreated to the sound of boos ringing round Bramall Lane. Warnock brought on Keith Gillespie and Alan Quinn for David Unsworth and Paul Ifill to inject some pace after the break. And, just like the opening stages of the match, the half frantically burst into life with Quinn fluffing an early shot and Doyle and Lita going close at the other end. An enlivened United side ensured they played their part in the break-neck speed and, after a sustained period of pressure, Hulse snuck through. Akinbiyi rose strongly to chest the ball down to Hulse, who held off Sonko before turning and squeezing the ball in at the far post after 61 minutes. The goal seemed to rattle Reading and the battling Akinbiyi almost pounced for an equaliser when keeper Marcus Hahnemann lost control of the ball when he tangled with his team-mate Graeme Murty. Two good chances to equalise fell to substitute Gillespie but he floated his first effort high and had a better right-footed strike saved by Hahnemann. An urgent Blades side continued to press forward but Hahnemann's safe hands kept shots from Jagielka and Quinn at bay to secure Reading a first away win of the season - and condemn United to a frustrating third defeat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reading manager Steve Coppell: \"I had only just sat down and was looking around when Kevin Doyle got through and finished. \"A goal like that can fire up the opposition but we got hold off the game and created other opportunities. \"Sheffield gave us problems in the second half but we defended well to get the three points.\" Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"We made too many mistakes. The first goal was a massive lift to them but it was a gift and a blow to us. \"They took their chances but it was an uphill task for us and for 30 minutes we didn't know where we where. \"We were a lot better in the second half and if we can eliminate silly mistakes we can give teams good games. I look forward to the battle ahead.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Utd: Bennett, Sommeil, Morgan, Bromby (Nade 88), Unsworth (Gillespie 46), Ifill (Alan Quinn 46), Jagielka, Leigertwood, Armstrong, Akinbiyi, Hulse. Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Kazim-Richards. Booked: Unsworth, Sommeil. Goals: Hulse 61. Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Gunnarsson 67), Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt 72), Lita (Little 66), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Long. Booked: Little. Goals: Doyle 1, Ki-Hyeon 25. Attendance: 25,011 Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Arsenal v Sheff Utd
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry is set to return to the fray as the Gunners look for a first league win at the Emirates. Fellow forward Robin van Persie is also available after injury, but Theo Walcott is a doubt having picked up a shoulder knock in a reserve outing. Sheffield United travel south short on numbers, with nine players out. Keeper Paddy Kenny, midfielders Michael Tonge and Nick Montgomery and strikers Danny Webber, Steve Kabba and Neil Shipperley are among the casualties. Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Hoyte, Djourou, Gallas, Hleb, Baptista, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Van Persie, Flamini, Adebayor, Almunia, Ljungberg, Song, Henry. Sheffield United (from): Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Bennett.

Warnock reveals future quit plan
Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock wants to bring down the curtain on his managerial career by the age of 60. Warnock's current deal at Bramall Lane expires at the end of the season and he wants two more years with the Blades. The 58-year-old told the Sunday Mirror: \"I'm not looking to be a manager beyond 60, no chance. \"Ideally, I would like to finish my managerial career here, have two years in the Premiership with this club, and then call it a day.\" The Blades are currently propping up the Premiership but Warnock is confident the Sheffield United board can retain their faith in him. Warnock added: \"That's when it will be all about results and it will be down to the chairman to decide whether a new manager would change the prospects of the club. \"But I think you only have to look at how United's board have been with me over the seven years I've had in charge here. \"On two or three occasions it would have been easy for them to change the manager. \"But they have always stuck by me because I always think that if you are considering changing your manager, you have got to ask 'Will I get anyone better?'\" Indeed, Warnock has continued to enjoy the backing of United's Plc chairman Kevin McCabe and football board chairman Terry Robinson. The Blades boss said: \"Of course I'm disappointed about where we are in the table but I honestly don't feel I could have done much more from a managerial point of view in the games we've had so far.\" Warnock has been in management for 20 years, beginning his often colourful career at Scarborough. From there he moved on to Notts County, Huddersfield, Plymouth, Oldham and Bury before taking over at his home town club seven years ago. He guided the Blades to automatic promotion from the Championship last season, ending their 12-exile from the top flight.

Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough
United striker Steven Kabba could make his first start of the season after making a quicker than expected recovery from a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny (thigh) could also be back while striker Danny Webber (hamstring) is in light training but is short of match fitness. Middlesbrough captain George Boateng (knee) and winger Stewart Downing (groin) should both be fit to return. Malcolm Christie picked up an ankle injury in midweek and will not travel. Sheff Utd (from): Kenny, Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery. Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Davies, Taylor, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Rochemback, Parnaby, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu, Turnbull, Bates, Morrison, Mendieta, Euell, Maccarone. # Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock: \"Our players seem relaxed to me as if there's no pressure, so it will be interesting to see how we play against Middlesbrough. \"One positive is that it is currently very tight at the bottom of the table. \"It's a new situation for us all. It's no good me saying the players will cope because I don't know if they will.\" # Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz: \"We want to start strongly at Sheffield and play the game that we can play. \"We have trained harder this week than we have trained for some time. \"We have spoken about things we can improve on. We know what we have to do if we want to win games.\"

Warnock wants import restrictions
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock says a reduction in foreign players in the Premiership would improve England's chances of international honours. The Blades boss claims the development of English players is suffering because of the number of imports. Warnock said: \"We're going to get great Premiership football but you're not going to have a good national team. \"Until there are restrictions on the number of foreign players I don't think we can have our cake and eat it.\" Warnock claims people may be forced to choose between a vibrant Premiership or a competitive England team. The Blades boss added: \"We would have to forgo our Premiership as it is to get a good England team. \"And I think if you ask most people they would want the Premiership as it is. \"I think fewer foreign players would make for a better England team, that would be my solution.\" Warnock defended England boss Steve McClaren and claimed it was unfair to pin the national team's shortcomings on his shoulders. \"People are shouting for the England manager's head already after three or four games. Nothing changes about that,\" said Warnock.. \"But I think people have to look further into the England scenario. We have a great bunch of players but in club football they all play with foreign players. \"Arsenal played us without an English player in their team. \"You're not going to have a good international team, even if Houdini is the manager. \"We work hard and we have gifted players but we don't have the technical team work that others have.\"

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