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Keeper who came in from the cold
MIHKEL Aksalu's arrival at Bramall Lane could have been torn straight from the pages of a John le Carré novel; promising young talent, surreptitiously plucked from a former Soviet state before being paraded in front of the media just a matter of days after crossing the Baltic.
But, as Sheffield United's season continues its now familar theme, the Estonian could be set to enjoy the type of publicity which would make even the most brazen of Cold War spies break-out into a sweat.
Having seen Mark Bunn, his first-choice goalkeeper, become the latest high-profile figure to enter Bramall Lane's treatment room, Kevin Blackwell, the Championship club's embattled manager, is poised to hand the 25-year-old his first taste of Championship football at Preston North End tonight.
"Bunny looks as if he might be out," Blackwell admitted last night. "We're waiting for the results of his scans but we think he might have broken a finger.
"If he has, then we might be missing him for up to six weeks because, of course, they're something that he uses a lot.
"Bunny has also been struggling with two dead legs which are obviously very painful.
"If that's the case then it's a blow but, unfortunately, it's something that we'ree getting used to."
Aksalu's brief, after completing a surprise move from Flora Tallinn to South Yorkshire during the recent transfer window, was to challenge Paddy Kenny for a first team place when the Republic of Ireland international returns from suspension next season.
But his progress chart is likely to be revised should Bunn's worst fears be realised when United's doctors deliver their findings to Shirecliffe this morning.
Ian Bennett, who deputised for the Blackburn Rovers loanee during the closing stages of Saturday's draw with Derby County, is favourite to don the gloves at Deepdale should Blackwell lose the final member of a defence expected to underpin United's play-offs challenge.
But, having exhausted his reserves of cover, Aksalu could fast be approaching a sink or swim moment.
"I don't like throwing people in the deep end," said Blackwell. "Especially when you've brought them here because you've spotted a potential that you want to develop.
"Certainly it seems almost certain that Mihkel might be on the bench at the very least.
"We're just going to have to wait and see because there is so much going on at the moment.
"The idea was to spend time working with him and then asking him to really push Paddy for a starting role when he comes back.
"Because although the kid is young, there's definitely something about him."
Although an unprecedented number of injuries have failed to inflict too much damage upon their league position – United cross the Pennines seventh in the Championship table – they have certainly taken their toll upon performances.
The churn of personnel they have been forced to endure is illustrated by the fact that 10 of the Preston players who started last term's play-off semi-final second leg against United remain at manager Darren Ferguson's disposal compared to only four for the then hosts.
And two of those – Kenny and Chris Morgan – are currently sidelined.
Blackwell hopes to unveil at least one new signing before kick-off but, having listened to the chorus of criticism which followed United's display against Nigel Clough's side, repeated his call for supporters to exercise patience.
"Listen, we know we were poor (against Derby)," he said. "There's no question about that and we're not trying to hide the fact.
"The crowd rightly had a go at the lads and it was disappointing because, although we got a point, all the stats showed that we came on strongly enough towards the end to have gone on and won it.
"But, to the lads credit, they've not felt sorry for themselves despite all the difficulties we've been facing.
"They've just gone out there and, if they're still fit, got on with their jobs.
"I know they won't get any but I do think they deserve a pat on the back for that."
Shearer tribute is ref highlight
THE REFEREE: Eddie Ilderton.
The 36-year-old from Tyne and Wear will be taking charge of Sheffield United for the second time this season having overseen their 3-3 draw with Ipswich Town at Bramall Lane. Chris Morgan, Andrew Taylor and Kyle Walker were booked during that match. Ilderton, who has issued 64 yellow and four red cards in 23 outings since August, cites Pierluigi Collina as his refereeing role-model and, despite officiating at a Football League play-off semi-final in 2002, lists Alan Shearer's testimonial at St James' Park as his most memorable assignment.
PRESTON NORTH END (Possible): Lonergan, Jones, St. Ledger, Hart, Nolan, Mawene, Treacy, Coutts, Mellor, Brown,Welbeck.
SHEFFIELD UNITED (Possible): Bennett, Geary, Kallio, Nosworthy, Stewart, Cresswell, Williamson, Montgomery, Quinn, Yeates, Henderson.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
