Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell expects to be without James Beattie, Ugo Ehiogu and Lee Martin for the final game of the season.The Blades go into their last match at Southampton with their outside play-off hopes still alive thanks to the weekend win over promotion-chasing Bristol City.

But victory came at a cost with leading goalscorer Beattie, central defender Ehiogu and on-loan winger Martin all forced off due to injury.

Beattie, who has hit 22 goals in his first season at Bramall Lane, and Ehiogu are both struggling with calf strains and Martin is nursing damaged ankle ligaments.

Blackwell faces a defensive crisis, with skipper Chris Morgan still ruled out through suspension and back-up centre-half Chris Lucketti on loan at next weekend's opponents Southampton.

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