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Barnsley v Sheffield United: Morgan 'gutted' to miss Barnsley test
SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell says captain Chris Morgan is 'gutted' to be missing tonight's trip to his former club Barnsley.
Morgan, who is celebrating his 32nd birthday today, spent ten years at Oakwell and made over 200 appearances for the Tykes before joining the Blades six years ago.
Hs relationship with his hometown club went sour last season, however, after the aerial challenge which left Barnsley striker Iain Hume with a fractured skull.
Tonight should have heralded Morgan's first return to Oakwell and his first reunion with Hume since the incident but a booking against Newcastle United last Monday night means he is suspended.
Blackwell said: "People were always going to talk about what happened but he is gutted that he is going to miss the game. Chris has a lot of respect for Barnsley Football Club where he learned his trade and his profession.
"Everybody always has a soft spot for the place where they started their career, and a pride. He has always had massive respect for Barnsley so he was devastated last season with the pure accident that happened."
Morgan's absence is a major blow for the Blades who already have a shortage of players due to a crippling injury list. And not only does it rule out a centre-back but it also gives Blackwell the dilemma of who should take over as captain.
"Everyone in the team is either a loan player or they have just arrived so it is going to be a tough one," he said.
Midfielder Stephen Quinn appears to be the prime contender as the selection of defender Matthew Kilgallon would seriously raise eyebrows given his reluctance to sign a new contract. Goalkeeper Ian Bennett is another in the frame but has only just got back into the side.
After four consecutive defeats and seven games without a win, there is far more pressure on the Blades who are rapidly sliding down the table.
Barnsley have pulled clear of the relegation zone since the arrival of new manager Mark Robins and are now level on points with the Blades.
"It is uncomfortable when you are not getting results," admitted Blackwell. "But if we keep playing the way we are playing it has got to turn around soon.
"My squad has been decimated by injuries and personal situations and it feels just like the the rug has been pulled from under my feet.
"We know it will be tough, all Yorkshire derbies are tough, but we have won there two years running and we want to keep up that record."
Robins refused to dwell on the incident which marred last season's corresponding fixture but stressed the importance of victory.
"It's not about anything else than has gone before," said Robins. "It's about a derby that means a lot to both sets of supporters and players.
"Regardless of any injury situation, they will be a really strong side and we need to be 100 per cent if we want to win the game."
In keeping with his opposite number, Robins is also without a captain and centre-back as Stephen Foster is suspended.
Bobby Hassell, who has been sidelined for two months with Achilles trouble, is set to return as Foster's replacement.
Last six games: Barnsley WWLLLW, Blades DDLLLL
Last time: Barnsley 1 Blades 2; November 8, 2008, Championship.
Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire)
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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