Game on for Shez

RYAN McLAUGHLIN

JOHN Sheridan has scoffed at Athletic's status as heavy underdogs tomorrow - and says his good mate Chris Wilder won't be taken in by it.

Bookmakers fancy Sheffield United to claim three points at SportsDirect.com Park tomorrow (3pm) to increase their chances of lifting the Sky Bet League One title.

Sheridan is without versatile right-sided player Ryan McLaughlin due to his Northern Ireland call-up and there are injury doubts over Rob Hunt (hamstring) and Aaron Amadi-Holloway (hamstring), but Athletic's manager sees no reason why his side can't get a positive result.

"Six to one? I wouldn't go as far as that," said Sheridan, after the pre-match odds of Athletic winning the game were put to him. "Chris Wilder knows me and I'm a good mate of his. He knows coming here, he's in for a tough game.

"He is a good lad as well and I'm pleased for him. He's a Sheffield lad who is managing the club he wanted to manage and he's doing a brilliant job.

"They have a strong group of players and a good balance.

"Chris has got them winning games and they are confident. When you are playing with confidence, you can become a lot better player.

"We can't be overawed because they are top. We were the better team for 70 minutes against Millwall, who were on a great run of form.

"We have to carry on doing what we have been doing well of late."

Sheridan sought to downplay the impact of Athletic's worn pitch, which was even at this time last year branded as being "three or four years" beyond its natural lifespan.

"The pitch isn't as bad as you think it is," Sheridan said, "and the weather has been ok. It's been better when it has got a bit damp."

Athletic's manager reckons that "six or seven" points should be enough to give Athletic a good chance of staying up this season.

Currently on 44, Sheridan is hopeful that for tomorrow's big test, for which 4,350 Sheffield United fans will make the trip, Anthony Gerrard will be fit to start after hobbling off at Peterborough.

"I think Anthony will be ok," he said. "We will see how Holloway and Hunty are and will give them as long as possible.

"I hope they have a chance but if they are not fit, it gives someone else a chance to help us get a result and give me a problem as to what team I pick."

While McLaughlin is in the squad to face Norway on Sunday (7.45pm kick-off), Sheridan may be reluctant to use Lee Croft even though his three-match ban has now elapsed.

"Crofty hadn't figured in the team and he got a stupid sending off.," Sheridan said. "I applaud the players who, while he has been out suspended, have got us points.

"I put him in the team and he let himself down. That has gone now and I don't really want to bring it up really."

Tomorrow's referee is Eddie Ilderton, the official who sent Sheridan to the stand in an incident that resulted in a five-game touchline ban for the then-Notts County manager.

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Ripley; Law, Clarke, Gerrard, Wilson; Green, Banks, O'Neill, Taylor; Erwin, Obadeyi. Subs (from): Kettings, Edmundson, Dummigan, Reckord, Flynn, Croft, Fane, Osei, Ngoo.