Sheffield United vs Crawley Town preview - Higdon set for Blades return

Posted Friday, August 22, 2014 by PA

Summer signing Michael Higdon is expected to return to Sheffield United's starting line-up for the League One clash with Crawley at Bramall Lane.

The striker was rested at Peterborough in midweek, coming on as a late substitute after a heavy early workload at the start of the season, and was one of five changes made by Nigel Clough, who will again look to shuffle his pack after that first league success in midweek.

"We looked a bit lacklustre last Saturday and a bit lethargic at times, so some of them were for that reason," Clough commented on his alterations. "With it being Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, Michael Higdon couldn't do the three games so it was ideal, especially away from home, to get Mark McNulty a start, but Michael will be back in contention for Saturday."

He added on Blades Player: "It doesn't do the team any harm to keep things fresh in the opening month of the season and we won't risk players carrying knocks at this stage with over eight months left to go."

Josh Simpson and Matt Harrold are Crawley's only injury absentees.

Midfielder Simpson has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury on the opening day of the season and striker Harrold is still recovering from a knee operation.

Boss John Gregory must decide whether to make changes after his side slipped to their first defeat of the season in midweek, going down 3-1 at home to Bradford.

Back-up goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel has gone back to West Ham at the end of his loan spell in Sussex.