Sheffield United vs Port Vale preview - Basham back from Blades ban

Posted Friday, March 20, 2015 by PA

Sheffield United defender Chris Basham returns to contention for the home game against Port Vale following suspension.

Basham has missed the last two games after reaching 10 yellow cards for the season and manager Nigel Clough must decide whether to recall him to the starting line-up.

Fellow defender Jay McEveley played the full 90 minutes in the midweek draw at Walsall after a shoulder injury and Kieron Freeman has been nursing a tight hamstring.

Ryan Flynn (hamstring) stepped off the bench for the last 10 minutes at Walsall, but defender Terry Kennedy, midfielder Stefan Scougall and striker Michael Higdon (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Vale boss Rob Page could make changes to his team on his return to Bramall Lane.

Page, who played for the Blades for three years, used the words "unacceptable" and "embarrassing" to describe the home defeat to Crawley on Tuesday night.

Defender Carl Dickinson and winger Byron Moore missed that game with knocks and Page will be hoping both players are fit enough to return to the reckoning for the trip to South Yorkshire.

The likes of Richard Duffy, Chris Birchall, Ben Williamson and Tommy O'Sullivan are among those who may benefit from recalls.