Blades next for reserves

And with a trip to Birmingham on Wednesday night manager Ronnie Jepson admitted this morning: "We won't decide on the team until later in the day because we have to be a little bit careful.

"We need to check on a few players who played at the weekend, just to make sure that they have got no stiffness."

The importance of reserve team football was clearly shown in the victory at Stockport on Saturday as Mark McGregor and Mitchell Thomas went into the first team and performed well on the back of appearances in Jepson's side.

Robbie Blake looks certain to start again tonight as he continues to strive for full fitness. He came on in the closing minutes at Edgeley Park. Another sub at Stockport, Brad Maylett, is also a likely starter.

Two men who may make rare reserve appearances are Arthur Gnohere and Alan Moore who were not even included on the bench at the weekend. They will both be needed in the run-in and could benefit from an outing, although they may wait until the match at Birmingham.

It is unclear whether Spanish trialist Victor Torres Mestre will get another chance to show what he can do. He impressed in the 3-1 defeat of West Brom last week and was still at the club the following day.

Nik Michopoulos will continue his return to action in goal while Andy Payton, an unused sub at Stockport, will hope to press his claims for a first team role by adding to the goal he struck last week.

Rossendale Clarets will be running a special trip to the South Coast for the Easter Monday fixture at Portsmouth.

Fans are invited to travel down on the Sunday and stay at a hotel in Southampton before going to the match the following day. The cost for travel and the hotel is £50 and full details can be received by calling 01706 224924.

The club also has a few tickets remaining for the reunion of the 1992 Division Four championship winning side to be held a week on Sunday at Turf Moor. Telephone the same number for further details.