Blades face dilemma over skipper Chris

Training has been put on hold for the centre-back, who suffered a calf strain at the start of the week.

Said Morgan: "We're going to give the injury as much time as we can. It has reacted well to treatment. It happened Monday so we've had basically a full week.

"The consideration will be, is it worth risking it, possibly making a strain into a tear and losing six weeks and 10 games? Or do we just be sensible with it and say we'll leave it if we have to?"

Apart from broken leg victim Rob Hulse, Morgan is the only casualty doubt in manager Bryan Robson's squad for his first game in charge.

Chris Lucketti and Matt Kilgallon will be on standby for the match.

Colchester arrive with high-profile signing Teddy Sheringham set to start the game on the bench.

The former England international was recruited as player-coach by manager Geraint Williams.

United are set give debuts to strikers James Beattie and Billy Sharp as well as full-back Gary Naysmith.

Said Robson: "We've got a fully fit squad so they'll all be involved in the first week of the season. We've got a slight doubt about Chris. He felt his calf, we've been protecting him.

"I've got in my mind really what the team is going to be."

Robson is ready to sell Christian Nade, but he said he had not received an approach for Ahmed Fathi despite reports yesterday claiming that he was joining Cairo giants Zamalek.

Robson explained: "Fathi has been involved in every day's training sessions and been involved in games. Nobody has been in touch with me.

"Christian made it known he feels that he is not going to challenge for the first team because of the strikers that I've got. He's a young lad, he's ambitious, he wants to play first-team football. I've said I've no problems with that and if we get an offer, then he can move on.

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