All change at the back for the Blades

Last updated : 23 August 2002 By Tony Scholes

Arthur - out suspended
The main news centres around the central defensive positions and it looks as though there will have to be two changes there. Arthur Gnohere is definitely out, serving the first match in his three match ban, and captain Steve Davis looks almost certain to miss out with a calf injury that is currently preventing him from doing any running.

Other players definitely out are Gordon Armstrong who has a partial tear of his hamstring and Brad Maylett who has now been put in plaster with an achilles tendon injury. Tony Grant and Graham Branch are also considered doubtful, Grant has a twisted ankle and Branch a shin injury.

It looks as though Earl Davis will be added to the squad as cover but almost certainly Ian Cox will partner Mark McGregor at the back with Lee Briscoe returning to left-back, a position to which just about every Burnley fan thinks he is most suited.

Coxy will be starting his first Burnley game of the season and the only changes in personnel expected are him and Ian Moore for the two missing central defenders. With some shuffling around that suggests the starting line up in 4-4-2 will be,

Nik Michopoulos, Dean West, Ian Cox, Mark McGregor, Lee Briscoe, Glen Little, Paul Weller, Paul Cook, Alan Moore, Ian Moore, Gareth Taylor.

If that is the starting line up then expect the subs to be: Andy Payton, Lenny Johnrose, Robbie Blake, Dimitri Papadopoulos and Earl Davis.

Sheffield United also have problems and Robert Ullathorne and Robert Page are again ruled out whilst Michael Brown can now be added to the injured list. Laurens Ten Heuvel and Paul Peschisolido were both pulled out of the midweek reserve game and are not expected to be named in the squad.

Peter Ndlovu is expected to deputise for Brown who was injured last Saturday in the draw against Walsall and Warnock is expected to name the following starting line up,

Paddy Kenny, Robert Kozluz, Shaun Murphy, Ben Doane, Steve Yates, Phil Jagielka, John-Paul McGovern, Peter Ndlovu, Michael Tonge, Wayne Allison, Carl Asaba.

For more on Sheffield United, a look back at last season’s game in detail, at recent results against them and a former player of both clubs – see tomorrow’s Match Preview