Blades boosted by return of Sun

22 April 2009 11:37
The China international has been sidelined since late February with an ankle problem, the latest in a series of niggling injuries that have restricted him to just 17 appearances for the Blades following his arrival last summer on a free transfer from Manchester City. The versatile 31-year-old, who has 62 international caps, is contracted to United until 2010 and will provide competition for Kyle Naughton for the right-back slot with two games of the regular season remaining. Meanwhile, assistant manager Sam Ellis has declared his players "were not afraid to go anywhere" if they are forced to take the long route in their quest for the Premier League. The Blades automatic promotion hopes were dealt a big blow at impressive play-off challengers Burnley this week, but Ellis insists the race is still on for a top-two finish. Ellis said: "I'm confident we can get it back. Our players have done really well for us. "Twelve games ago we were trying for the play-offs and now we've been going for automatic promotion for the last three games. They've put us in a great position." When asked if United would want to avoid a return to Turf Moor in the play-off semi-finals, Ellis said: "No we don't need to avoid any place. We're not afraid to go anywhere." The veteran coach added Gary Naysmith was an early doubt for Saturday's home clash with play-off outsiders Swansea after the Scottish defender was forced off in the first half at Burnley with a knee ligament problem.

Source: Team_Talk