Judgment call for Shez on skipper

BATTLE: Liam Kelly (left) goes up against Port Vale’s Anthony Grant during the recent 1-1 draw.

JOHN Sheridan admits he faces a dilemma over whether to play skipper Liam Kelly at Sheffield United tomorrow.

A ninth booking of the season against Port Vale leaves Kelly (26) - a vital cog in midfield - one yellow card away from incurring a two-match ban. A caution at Bramall Lane would see him miss consecutive home matches against relegation rivals Blackpool on Tuesday and mid-table Rochdale on March 19.

With the cut-off date for a 10-booking penalty reached on Sunday, Kelly will be free of suspension worries after this weekend.

But Sheridan was keeping his cards close over whether he will run the risk of playing Kelly at all tomorrow, or keep him away from the action for one game.

“If I said to him don’t get booked, I don’t know how you could do that. You get booked for anything these days,” Sheridan said. “Ask me what games would I want him for and it would be Blackpool and Rochdale.

“I will make that decision. I have spoken to Liam about it.

“If I play him and he gets booked, it is my fault — or his fault. I will blame him and I’m sure others will blame me!”

If Kelly missed the game, a solution could be to push Timothee Dieng into midfield, with James Wilson partnering Anthony Gerrard in central defence and Cameron Dummigan reverting to right-back.

Whatever his chosen line-up, Sheridan is confident his side can impose themselves on a Blades side tipped for promotion at the start of the season but struggling in 12th place, six points adrift of the play-off spots.

“It is a good game for us, in a lovely stadium at a big club,” Sheridan added. “Hopefully, we can rise to the occasion. They’re having a sticky patch and we are on a decent run. We know the importance of the three points.”