BLADES skipper Chris Morgan is in severe danger of missing the Sheffield derby.
"It's touch and go," Bramall Lane chief Kevin Blackwell said, looking forward to the Wednesday-United showdown at Hillsborough on Sunday, October 19.
The centre half, who missed the corresponding fixture at Wednesday last season, is having intensive treatment.
Blackwell said: "He might have played on Saturday but we cannot afford to risk losing one of our centre backs. He stood down for the good of the team and Ugo Ehiogu stepped up."
Blackwell will be anxiously eyeing the international fixtures on Saturday and next week.
United full back Gary Naysmith is expected to feature for Scotland against Norway on Saturday. David Cotterill could play twice for Wales before the Sheffield showdown a week on Sunday.
Unwanted Blades winger Keith Gillespie is set to play for Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and San Marino.
Gillespie has played his last game for United. Blackwell reported that a 'couple of clubs' had shown interest in taking the 32-year-old initially on loan.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United reject and former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune is close to joining Serie B outfit Brescia.
The former South Africa international was undergoing a medical before signing a contract with the Italian outfit.
Fortune had a trial with the Blades and was offered nothing by Blackwell.
After leaving United in 2006, the 31-year-old failed to impress during a brief stint at Bolton before failed trials at Blackburn, Sunderland and at Sheffield.
Brescia are currently ninth in Serie B after seven games.
And West Ham, the target of a multi-million pound claim from United follwing the Carlos Tevez affair, may have hit more financial problems.
Landsbanki, Iceland's second largest bank, has been nationalised.
West Ham owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, is a major shareholder in the bank, but has been sacked as Landsbanki chairman after it was taken into government hands amid mounting fears over the entire Iceland economy. However, West Ham vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson stressed that the development would not have a direct impact on the club.
Chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "The position of Landsbanki has absolutely no effect on West Ham United and Mr Gudmundsson's ownership of the club.
"Mr Gudmundsson is an investor with a large portfolio, of which Landsbanki was just part. He remains as committed as ever to West Ham United and is not looking to sell the club."
Sheffield United academy under 18s claimed a 2-0 victory in their mini derby against Wednesday's youngsters.
Adam Chapman and Jack Adams scored the goals at the Blades' Shirecliffe training ground.
United's under 16s did even better, defeating a young Owls' team 4-0.
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