Sheffield United: Discipline comes under the microscope ahead of Blackpool clash

Michael Appleton, whose side face United at Bloomfield Road tonight, saw his team left at a numerical disadvantage for the sixth time this season when substitute Jordan Thorniley was dismissed for a professional foul during Monday’s draw with Hull City.

Blackpool received three red cards, one of which was awarded following the final whistle, en route to a 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane earlier this season. They enter the return fixture in Lancashire ranked 22nd in the table, 20 places behind United, and without a win in seven outings.

“We’re not a million miles away,” insisted Appleton. “But the reality is that it (Blackpool’s discipline) is hurting us.”

Thorniley, who will miss the clash with United, received his marching orders for deliberately impeding Oscar Estupinan soon after the interval of a game which finished 1-1. Appleton refused to criticise the former Sheffield Wednesday player during his post-match inquest but did concede: “It’s difficult to have a pop in situations like that but there’s been one or two red cards that have been hard to stomach at times.”

United will be without defender John Egan for a contest which could see them open up a double points lead over third-placed Blackburn Rovers. The Republic of Ireland international saw red towards the end of Monday’s win over Coventry City. Like Blackpool, United are positioned towards the bottom of the disciplinary table. However, they owe their poor ranking to the number of cautions they have collected this term. Appleton’s men actually out-perform United by this measure.

Appleton hopes Chris Maxwell, Luke Garbutt and CJ Hamilton, previously of United, will all be available for selection after missing the game at Hull. Heckingbottom is scheduled to assess midfielder Sander Berge ahead of kick-off after the Norwegian hurt a foot during the clash with the visitors from Warwickshire. However, Berge was able to remain on the pitch. Striker Oli McBurnie could also return after being rested as he nurses a minor ankle complaint.

“I don’t want Oli having to ease himself through games,” said Heckingbottom, explaining the decision to omit McBurnie from his last squad. “When we’ve been talking about how good he’s been, people talking about him being one of the best (centre-forwards) in the division right now, it’s because he’s been able to be properly firing. When he’s struggled in the past, it’s because he’s been carrying things and there’s no point in putting him in that situation again. It’s not fair on him or right for us, even though Oli would put his hand up gladly to take part in every single game no matter how he’s feeling.”

Hamilton sat out the trip to East Yorkshire as a precautionary measure because of a groin issue. But Appleton, who described Maxwell as “touch and go” to face United, is confident that means the winger will be declared fit for the game against opponents who have won seven of their last eight outings.

“We could have risked him (Hamilton),” Appleton said. “I’m hoping the fact we didn’t means he’s going to be okay for this one.”