Lee Hendrie, Matthew Spring and David Cotterill are all pushing for starting places for Sheffield United's home clash with QPR on Saturday.Former Aston Villa midfielder Hendrie, sent out on loan to Leicester last season, recaptured some vintage form for the Blades in the midweek Carling Cup win over Port Vale.

Summer loan signing Spring was also impressive on his debut and winger Cotterill, a permanent signing last month, could retain his place.

Striker Danny Webber also played the full 90 minutes against Vale and will be hoping for an extended run in the side.

Manager Kevin Blackwell will be without James Beattie (knee) and Keith Gillespie (ankle) again and David Carney is on international duty with Australia at the Beijing Olympics.

Blackwell, who made eight changes in midweek from the side that lost in the dying moments at Birmingham on the opening day, could be tempted to make several more changes.

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