Wilson forced into changes at Blades as McDonald is ruled out for several weeks

McDonald, who missed the Steel City derby defeat at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, has been ruled out for ‘weeks’ with a hamstring injury.

His absence is a blow to the Blades because his performances, alongside Michael Doyle in the midfield engine room, have played such an integral part in the club’s success this season.

With midfielder Nick Montgomery – who stood in against the Owls – nursing a bruised calf, Wilson may even have to shuffle his pack tonight when the Blades look to bounce back against bogey team Scunthorpe United.

“We have played our football a certain way with Kevin in the side and, when he’s not in the side, we miss out on his ability,” admitted Wilson. “We don’t know how long he will be out yet – but we are hoping it will be weeks rather than longer.

“I am disappointed because he has been playing well over the last week or so and it changes the way we play, of course it does. But he’s not available to us so we will flip things around again and look for another combination.”

Montgomery, who had not started a game for three months, wore the captain’s armband against the Owls but was substituted towards the end of the game and was not at his best.

Wilson could decide to move Williamson into the middle tonight and recall winger Ryan Flynn. Austrian international Johnny Ertl is another option in the middle of the park while on-loan striker Will Hoskins has played on the flanks in the past.

Victory tonight will strengthen the Blades’ grip on second spot in the League One table and re-establish a five-point lead over neighbours Wednesday.

With Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town also breathing down their neck, Wilson admits three points are ‘paramount.’

The Blades, however, have not beaten the Iron in eight meetings in the last 29 years and were beaten 4-0 in the same fixture at Bramall Lane last season.

“This is one of our games in hand and three points is absolutely paramount for us,” he said. “Our focus has not changed nor the test in front of us but what we have now are the games starting to tick down. People can see the games ticking away and that makes this part of the season very important.”

The Blades have 15 games to play starting with tonight’s clash and Wilson says there have been no signs of a ‘derby hangover’ in training since Sunday’s game.

“I thought I might have a ‘lifting job’ on my hands but it’s been quite the opposite,” he said. “It was a big game (to lose) but they have shown a steely determination in training which suggests they want to put things right and get back on the winning track.

“To be honest, I am delighted the derby is over, I am delighted that both games are out of the way. They have been fantastic advertisements for Sheffield football and what it means to the supporters but now we can both focus on the real job in hand and that is to get promotion.

“During the build-up to the two games, everyone thinks it is the be-all and end-all of the season when it is quite the opposite,” he said. “It means a great deal – and no-one is more disappointed than myself and the players that we couldn’t deliver for our fans – but there is the bigger picture.

“I have always looked at the bigger picture – and we will all be judged at the end of the season. Everyone was foolish to judge Sheffield Wednesday going into our game. You can’t do that when you have so many points to play for. Unfortunately, decisions are made when people are doing things like that but, from where I am sat as a manager, I think it’s quite foolish to get carried away one way or the other at this stage.

“We are in a strong position, that’s not changed, and we will try to endorse that,” he said.

Wilson, meanwhile, confirmed that there will be no talks over a new deal for striker Ched Evans until the end of the season.

The Welsh international is out of contract this summer and due to stand trial for rape in April.

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Last six games: Blades LLWWWL, Scunthorpe DLWWLD

Last time: Blades 0 Scunthorpe 4; September 14, 2010, Championship.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).