Blades could call on Kenny on return from drug ban

The Republic of Ireland international is fast approaching the end of a nine-month suspension imposed by the Football Association for use of the banned substance ephedrine.

He was allowed to resume training with his team-mates yesterday but will not be available for selection until after April 22.

Manager Kevin Blackwell said: "We might have to take a gamble on Paddy at the end of this season. He has not played a competitive game since the play-off final defeat by Burnley and obviously needs to work on his match fitness but he is not a million miles away."

Kenny, 31, would not have been needed this season if Blackburn Rovers had not opted to recall goalkeeper Mark Bunn from his loan spell at Bramall Lane due to injury to Paul Robinson.

Stoke City's Steve Simonsen has been drafted in to provide cover for the next month but will not be around for the final two games of the season against Swansea City and Ipswich Town.

"It's great to have Paddy around the place again," said Blackwell. "He is a big, daft goalkeeper and he brings that banter back to the training ground.

"His situation came totally out of the blue, three days before the kick-off for the season, and we have had to beg, borrow and ask for goalkeepers. It must have been hard for Paddy over the last nine month or 12 months but the smile is back on his face.

"To be a professional, and be unable to play, must be a killer.

"To see the results on a Saturday afternoon and know you can't do anything about it must be a killer. This is a massive weight off his shoulders.

"Ideally, we will try and get some behind-closed-doors games for Paddy to work on his match fitness. However, enthusiasm can get you through a couple of games and, when Paddy gets back, that's all we have left, a couple of games."

Blackwell, meanwhile, is aiming to sign a new striker on loan before tomorrow night's trip to Cardiff City.

Both Darius Henderson (hamstring) and Henri Camara (groin) have joined Jamie Ward (hamstring) on the injury list leaving Richard Cresswell as the club's only available striker.

"We have got to come up with a striker from somewhere – we need something slightly better than nothing," sighed Blackwell.

"It would have to be a young Premier League striker as no one in our league is going to lend us anything."

Blackwell, assistant-manager Sam Ellis and coach Gary Speed were all due to attend games last night with a view to assessing possible targets.