Sheff Utd v Stevenage preview

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Sheffield United striker Billy Paynter will return to contention for the home game against Stevenage.

Paynter sat out last week’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Hull having appeared for Doncaster in an earlier round, but is expected to return to the squad.

Manager Nigel Clough has no fresh injury or suspension concerns and has a full-strength squad to choose from with on-loan midfielder Ben Davies, striker Chris Porter and defender Matt Hill among those pushing for recalls.

The Blades have lost only two of their last 14 league games but are 11 points adrift of the play-offs.

Basement side Stevenage will be without Filipe Morais when they head to Sheffield United.

The Portuguese winger was sent off towards the end of last weekend’s costly 3-2 defeat by Colchester and starts a three-match ban which will keep him out until the final day of the season.

Darius Charles is likely to take Morais’ spot in the squad after the utility man recovered from an ankle injury.

Midfielders Dean Parrett (cruciate) and Roarie Deacon (ankle) remain on the sidelines although the latter could be back before the end of the season.

Sheff Utd v Stevenage preview

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Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson is preparing to be without defensive duo Tony McMahon and Matt Hill.

Both men limped out of the Blades’ first league defeat of the season at MK Dons last week with hamstring injuries and are not expected to be fit on Saturday, with Tuesday’s clash with Crewe a more realistic target for their return.

Striker Dave Kitson is not progressing as quickly as hoped in his battle with a hamstring problem and the veteran will again be missing.

The Blades have scored just one goal in their last three league outings and Wilson has hinted he may change things around in attack, with Shaun Miller hoping for a start.

Goalkeeper Mark Howard (thigh) and defender Lecsinal Jean-Francois (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Robin Shroot is back in favour at Stevenage and should be in the squad.

The six-goal midfielder’s Boro future was thrown into doubt last month after he requested a loan move having become frustrated at a lack of starting opportunities.

Manager Gary Smith left Shroot out for two matches but he returned as a substitute against Preston last weekend and wore the captain’s armband in a midweek friendly to keep up his fitness.

Lee Hills (thigh), Robbie Rogers and Don Cowan (both hamstring) also played in the 1-1 friendly draw with Southend as they continue their recovery from recent lay-offs.

But centre-half Jon Ashton will be on the sidelines until Christmas with an Achilles injury.

Sheff Utd v Stevenage preview

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Sheffield United striker Richard Cresswell could return to the starting line-up for this crucial match.

Cresswell has been struggling with a shoulder injury in recent weeks and played only a cameo role in Friday night’s goalless first leg at Broadhall Way.

With Ched Evans unavailable and fellow striker James Beattie suspended, manager Danny Wilson opted to play Chris Porter on his own up front in the first leg, with Stephen Quinn pushing forward to support him from a five-man midfield.

Wilson decided not to involve on-loan Bolton forward Michael O’Halloran, who was an unused substitute, and while defender Johnny Ertl is expected to be involved again after making a rare appearance this season off the bench on Friday, Wilson is unlikely to make too many changes.

The Blades, pipped for the second automatic promotion spot by Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the regular season, are hoping to book their play-off final date at Wembley against either Huddersfield or MK Dons on May 26.

Meanwhile, Stevenage boss Gary Smith is contemplating changes for his side.

Boro were held to a 0-0 draw in Friday’s first leg and as Smith has a fully-fit squad he could be tempted to make changes at Bramall Lane.

Midfielders Jennison Myrie-Williams, John Mousinho and Robin Shroot and striker Chris Beardsley will be the ones hoping to benefit should Smith make changes.

“I’ll see how the guys respond,” Smith told the club’s official website. “We were in on Saturday and we’ll be in on Sunday before we travel. It’s a short turnaround so some fresh legs might be needed, but we’ve got a fully-fit squad so that’s possible.

“There may have been one or two knocks, but our gameplan at Bramall Lane last time was an effective one. I’ll have to evaluate who is ready and raring to go, but I think that the guys will still be disappointed about the result on Friday.

“But they’ll certainly be ready and whatever side we put out they’ll give Sheffield United a fantastic game up there.”

Sheff Utd v Stevenage preview

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Sheffield United will give striker Richard Cresswell until the 11th hour before deciding on his fitness.

Cresswell missed last week’s defeat at MK Dons with a shoulder injury and remains “nip and tuck” for the Blades’ final home game of the season.

Manager Danny Wilson will also be without Ched Evans, jailed for five years last week after being found guilty of rape, while fellow forward Will Hoskins is ruled out with a hernia problem, but the Blades boss has other options.

If Cresswell proves his fitness it is likely he will start alongside Chris Porter, but James Beatttie and Michael O’Halloran, on loan from Bolton, and Danny Philliskirk provide other alternatives.

Defender Marcus Williams is expected back in contention following concussion and midfielder Ryan Flynn is also pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

The Blades, in second place, are one point ahead of Shefffield Wednesday with two games remaining in the race for automatic promotion.

Stevenage boss Gary Smith could name an unchanged side for the fourth straight game.

Three successive wins, including vital back-to-back victories over fellow play-off contenders Carlisle and Brentford, have moved Boro back into the top six as Smith stuck with the same XI that thrashed Yeovil 6-0 away a fortnight ago.

Smith made a half-time change against Brentford last weekend though and Joel Byrom, who came on for Stacy Long, may have done enough to force his way back into the starting line up.

Midfielders Jennison Myrie-Williams and John Mousinho and strikers Chris Beardsley and Jordan Slew will also be hoping for recalls.

Ahead of the evening kick-off on Saturday, Smith told the media: “It has been a difficult time for them recently – losing Ched Evans and the defeat last week [away at MK Dons].

“It is a good time to be playing them as, not being in their camp of course, what you have to consider is how the press and the stories [concerning Evans] have affected the rest of their group.”