Blackwell hopes to stay injury-free

Published: 01 Mar 2010 - 15:51:00

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The Blades' play-off hopes have been hit by a string of injuries to key players this season, but Blackwell was able to field a near full-strength side in Saturday's home win over Plymouth, which lifted them to within a point of the top six. Blackwell said: "Keeping that team fit is now going to be the key. Our results have proved we don't have the depth of squad to handle any injuries but, if we can avoid them, it looks like a team. "I've been trying to get a settled XI all season, but only once have we put out an unchanged side - and that lasted 20 minutes at Nottingham Forest. "I only brought in a couple of players during the whole of last season and I knew how the others already at the club could handle what and when. This season we've had eight or nine players more on loan than any other club, so I'm still learning who can handle the pressure." Blackwell added: "On the first-half performance, I would say that team is good enough to beat anyone."