Gillespie out of qualifier

He will miss the Group F game in Stockholm next Wednesday after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.

It would have been Gillespie's 79th cap for his country.

Meanwhile, Blades striker Rob Hulse reckons he should be better than ever when he returns to league action for Sheffield United.

But Bramall Lane manager Bryan Robson has warned that his wait for first-team action is not over yet.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

"It's not going to be just one or two weeks," Robson emphasised. "We've said from the outset, we won't rush this."

Hulse's football exile ended on Wednesday with a 20-minute appearance for United at Sheffield FC, as the world's oldest club began their celebrations for 150 years in existence.

Afterwards, the 2.2 million striker, who suffered a broken leg in March, said: "There have been plenty of long days in the gym, it's been hard. I've just had to keep believing in myself and trying to turn it into a positive. I know I'm coming back stronger and hopefully I'll be a better player as well."

Robson has effectively ruled the striker out of United's next game, against Preston a week tomorrow.

He expects to have Gary Naysmith and, possibly, Gillespie back for that.

United defender Derek Geary has been ruled out until the end of November following minor knee surgery.

Medical staff at United are continuing to monitor Nick Montgomery, who has had the lung condition, pleurisy.

Blades latest.

Football headlines.

Latest football gossip.

More sport.