Injury-hit Blades order players' fitness review

Andy Reid, on loan from Sunderland, was hoping to make his home debut for the Blades in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Ipswich, but sustained a hamstring problem during his preparation and was forced to withdraw from the squad.

Speed said: "It's only a slight problem. Andy hasn't torn his hamstring. But while it certainly is bad luck, we've also been suffering far too many hamstring injuries for my liking of late and that's something we've got to examine.

"We'll be taking a look at everything we do during training and before and after games with the physios and fitness staff to see if there's something we can change. Hopefully Andy will be back soon. We'll just have to wait and see."

Scunthorpe United defender David Mirfin has been ruled out for several weeks with a foot injury and Rob Jones is missing with a broken hand for tonight's visit of Middlesbrough.

Boro captain Gary O'Neil could return after shaking off a knee problem, while Barry Robson has an outside chance of being fit to play.