Sheffield United v Peterborough: Postponed

Premier League referee Craig Pawson conducted a pitch inspection at 9.30am and deemed the surface unplayable.

Prior to the game, Blades boss Nigel Clough challenged his central midfielders to hand him a selection dilemma when captain Michael Doyle returns from suspension.

The Irishman was due to serve the first game of a three-match ban tonight.

Doyle has apologised to his team-mates and staff for being sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Fulham’s Chris David in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.

He will definitely miss the fourth-round replay at Craven Cottage next week, with the Blades having put on free coaches for supporters for that fixture.

Opportunity knocks for someone to make hay in Doyle’s absence, according to Clough.

He said: “We are going to miss him, but it gives other people an opportunity. We’ve got Stephen McGinn, Stefan Scougall and Conor Coady fighting for places in there and the biggest worry for him might be getting his place back if we have some good results.”

Meanwhile, Clough admits that he has not had to field so much as an enquiry for talented young duo Harry Maguire and George Long so far this transfer window.

Clough remains in the market for another striker, but with the emergency loan market opening next month, is in no desperate rush.

On Maguire and Long, Clough, who confirmed trialist Keith Fahey has joined a club in Ireland, added: “It’s great news, but we are under no pressure to sell and the FA Cup has been good in that way as well and financially rewarding for us.”