Clough anticipating stronger Fulham line-up

The Dutchman rested his entire first team for the clash at Bramall Lane nine days ago, mindful of a key fixture at Swansea City 48 hours later.

With the Cottagers not in action after tonight’s game until Sunday’s match at Meulensteen’s former club Manchester United, Blades’ chief Clough expects changes from their 3-0 league loss to Southampton to be nothing like as sweeping.

He said: “I think there will be some who will have played on Saturday. He (Meulensteen) might even say, ‘To hell with you, get back out there.’

“He did similar in the last round against Norwich in the replay as they had lost at home to Sunderland and put a stronger side out.”

Sascha Riether and Kieran Richardson should be fit for Fulham, but Fernando Amorebieta and Jon-Arne Riise are doubtful. Recent signings John Heitinga, Lewis Holtby and £11m signing Kostas Mitroglov are ineligible.

Clough has confirmed that youngsters Diego De Girolamo and Conor Dimaio will be on the bench this evening and could be offered some game-time.

In terms of his starting line-up, the Blades’ chief – who elected to let the dust settle on Saturday’s poor display at Crewe before holding a considered analysis into what went wrong in a meeting yesterday afternoon – says changes are possible, mindful of Saturday’s league encounter against fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town.

Clough said: “We are going to have half an eye on Saturday and will see where the players are physically and mentally.

“It might be an opportunity for a couple of players. We lose two out of the squad in Billy (Paynter) and Elliott (Whitehouse), who are not going down, and Diego and Conor are coming down with us, so they will be on the bench. You never know, they might make an appearance at some point.

“We are looking for an improvement in performance and hopefully it will be good enough to get us a result.

“If not, it will give us some heart for Saturday and going into the rest of the season as these 19 league games are going to be very, very important for us.”