Reading Vs Sheffield United Match Preview

By Mark Sugar
February 27 2004

Reading welcome Neil Warnock's Sheffield United to the Madejski Stadium in this promotion clash.Reading currently lie in 8th Place after a 2-2 draw with Burnley while Sheffield United beat Crewe 1-0 thanks to a Nick Montgomery goal.They are in 4th place,so this is a great game in prospect.

Reading Vs Sheffield United
Saturday,28th February 2004
Nationwide League Division 1
Madejski Stadium,Reading
Kick Off 15:00pm

Team News
Following the 2-2 draw with Burnley in midweek,Steve Coppell is expected to make some changes.
Paul Brooker has signed from Premiership side Leicester City for a month.The ex Brighton and Fulham star heads straight into the squad for the game.
He is expected to take the place of John Salako,who is due a long rest after playing a number of games recently.
Adie Williams should come back into the side after missing the last 2 games due to suspension and injury.He will take the place of Ricky Newman.
Steve Brown has made good progress on the bruising suffered on his right knee in the defeat to Rotherham.He won't play tomorrow but should be fit for Crystal Palace game on the 6th March.
Kevin Watson is unlikely to play following a calf injury.He has missed the last 2 games with this injury,so James Harper will continue in his abscence.
There may be a recall for Scott Murray who hasn't started a game since the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.This may lead to Andy Hughes being dropped.
Nicky Forster will miss again due to a stomach injury.He isn't expected to be fit for 2 weeks at least now.
Lloyd Owusu will continue in his place,who is fighting for a new deal.
Shaun Goater will start the game on Saturday after declining the offer to go to play for Bermuda.The striker has been in pretty good form recently.
Joe Gamble,Jamie Ashdown and Nathan Tyson are all currently out on loan at the moment so they will not play any part.

For Sheffield United,they have signed former Barnsley goalkeeper Sasa Ilic until the end of the season.Ilic was a free agent after leaving Barnsley earlier this month.
The Blades have also signed Bradford City midfielder Andy Gray.The Scottish international's contract expired at the end of the season and Neil Warnock has given him a 3 year deal at Brammel Lane.
Alan Wright will miss the game after damaged ankle ligaments.
Stuart McCall is a major doubt after picking up a back strain in training.
Also doubtful is Jon Forte who was carried off in the win over Crewe with an ankle problem.
Apart from that no other injuries to report.

KEY PLAYER FOR SHEFFIELD UNITED:Michael Tonge

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Weird)
Assitant 1: Kevin Merchant (Surrey)
Assitant 2: Roger Vaughan (Somerset)

Form Guide
Reading have only lost 1 in the last 6 in the league.On Tuesday night they needed a James Harper injury time goal to secure a 2-2 draw Vs Burnley.
Sheffield United ended a bad run on Tuesday night with a win against Crewe at Gresty Road.

Previous Meetings
24/10/2003 Sheffield United 1-2 Reading
18/02/2003 Sheffield United 1-3 Reading
14/12/2002 Reading 0-4 Sheffield United
14/03/1998 Sheffield United 4-0 Reading
04/11/1997 Reading 0-1 Sheffield United
29/03/1997 Sheffield United 2-0 Reading
17/08/1996 Reading 1-0 Sheffield United
27/04/1996 Reading 0-3 Sheffield United
25/11/1995 Sheffield United 0-0 Reading
25/03/1995 Sheffield United 1-1 Reading
17/09/1994 Reading 1-0 Sheffield United

Thanks to www.soccer-stats.com for the above information.

Tickets and Travel
Tickets are onsale on the day.You can also buy tickets online at www.readingfc.co.uk
A crowd of 14,000 + is expected for the promotion clash.
Normal bus service is on from the town centre along with the out of town bus services.

Division 1 Fixtures

Sunderland Vs Norwich 12:30
Coventry City Vs Derby County 15:00
Crewe Vs Stoke City 15:00
Crystal Palace Vs Gillingham 15:00
Ipswich Town Vs Preston North End 15:00
Millwall Vs Burnley 15:00
Nottingham Forest Vs Bradford City 15:00
Reading Vs Sheffield United 15:00
Watford Vs Wimbledon 15:00
West Bromwich Albion Vs Rotherham United 15:00
West Ham United Vs Cardiff City 15:00
Wigan Athletic Vs Walsall 15:00

Thanks to www.bbc.co.uk/football for the Fixture List.