THE CHALKBOARD

WITH former Southampton boss Nigel Adkins now in the Bramall Lane hotseat, Sheffield United have thrown off the shackles in their quest for promotion.

Once again tipped as one of the teams to beat in League One, the Blades have gone from pragmatic – as they were under previous boss Nigel Clough – to progressive this season and will arrive at the County Ground looking to go on the offensive.

Adkins has added attacking impetus by deploying two strikers this term and has plenty of experience at his disposal in the form of summer signings Billy Sharp and Connor Sammon.

In stark contrast to their line-up for last season’s unforgettable play-off semi-final, the Blades will have recognised centre-halves at the heart of their defence.

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Connor Sammon (right)

LIKELY LINE-UP

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A MAN IN FORM – Che Adams

THE young forward who netted the final goal of United’s last campaign – the fifth in their pulsating play-off defeat to Town – has hit the ground running this season as his career blossoms.

The 19-year-old, plucked from non-league Ilkeston in November 2014, this week penned a new contract at Bramall Lane, which ties him to the Blades until at least 2018.

He is also toasting an international call-up after being named in the England U20 squad for their upcoming clash with the Czech Republic.

Adams looks set to make the shirt his own this season and grabbed his first league goal for the South Yorkshire outfit in their 2-0 win over Chesterfield earlier this month.

Goals arrived like buses for the youngster – he followed up his third-minute strike with another early in the second period.

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Che Adams

THE TREATMENT ROOM

SHEFFIELD United could have as many as nine players missing for their trip to the County Ground but should have no problem fielding a strong line-up as a result of their bustling squad.

Midfielder Jose Baxter and young defender Kieran Wallace ruled themselves out of playing any part at the County Ground by getting sent off in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat to Fulham, whilst a host of names remain sidelined.

Defenders Neil Collins has a calf problem, whilst manger Nigel Adkins is sweating on the fitness of Terry Kennedy and Ryan Flynn, who both returned to action for the Blades’ U21 side in midweek.

John Brayford remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury, whilst Bob Harris went under the knife to cure a pelvic problem earlier this month.

Paul Coutts (knee) is another Blades man ruled out, whilst Belgian Florent Cuvelier is also sidelined as he recovers from the hamstring injury that brought about an early end to his 2014-15 season.

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Jose Baxter

FORM GUIDE

Tue, August 11 - Capital One Cup R1 - 1-0 win v Morecambe (A)

Sat, Aug 15 - Skybet League 1 - 2-0 win v Chesterfield (H)

Tue, Aug 18 - Skybet League 1 - 3-1 win v Peterborough (A)

Sat, Aug 22 - Skybet League 1 - 3-0 win v Blackpool (H)

Tue, Aug 25 - Capital One Cup R2 - 3-0 defeat v Fulham (A)

GOALSCORERS

Che Adams, Conor Sammon 2

DISCIPLINE

Chris Basham 2Y, Jose Baxter, Kieran Wallace 1Y, 1R

THE STAT

TOWN'S epic 5-5 clash with the Blades at the County Ground in May was the highest-scoring play-off semi-final of all-time.