Kitson fit to face Scunthorpe
Dave Kitson is set to keep his place in attack as Sheffield United look to strengthen their hold on top spot in npower League One with victory over lowly Scunthorpe at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day.
Former Reading striker Kitson had been sidelined with a hamstring injury but made his first start for almost two months in Saturday's 2-0 away success at Crawley, which lifted Danny Wilson's Blades to the summit.
Scottish midfielder Kevin McDonald also returned to the starting XI after missing the goalless draw with fellow promotion contenders Tranmere due to an ankle problem, and he got through the whole game at the Broadfield Stadium.
Defender Tony McMahon blasted home free-kicks in either half to give United the spoils, his first goals for the club.
Goalkeeper Mark Howard (thigh) and defender Lescinel Jean-Francois (knee) have returned to training but the clash with the Iron may come too soon.
Nathan Ellington and Josh Walker both hope to play a part in Scunthorpe's tough-looking trip.
On-loan Ipswich striker Ellington, yet to score in three appearances for the Iron, has been out with a calf strain, while midfielder Walker has been on the mend from ankle ligament damage.
The pair had looked to feature in the Iron's centenary game with Carlisle on Saturday, only for the fixture to be called off due to a waterlogged Glanford Park pitch.
Karl Hawley will continue up front but centre-half David Mirfin remains sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
Second-from-bottom Scunthorpe are big underdogs for the Boxing Day clash at Bramall Lane, as they bid for a fourth win in eight league matches.
Source: PA
