Sheff Utd v Port Vale preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's FA Cup second-round clash between Sheffield United and Port Vale at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United will be without suspended midfielder Kevin McDonald. McDonald will sit out a one-game ban after reaching five yellow cards, so David McAllister or Richard Cresswell could return to the starting line-up. Manager Danny Wilson has confirmed he will be sending out his strongest possible line-up, so further changes are not expected, while striker Dave Kitson will not be included in the squad as he recovers from a hamstring problem that has kept him out of the last seven matches. Striker John Cofie and defender Marcus Williams are pressing for recalls, while teenage midfielder Callum McFadzean is hoping to play some part after he has been an unused substitute in the last three matches. Mark Howard remains a long-term absentee due to a thigh injury, so George Long will continue in goal, with Danny Coyne on the bench as back up. Clayton McDonald is an injury concern for Vale manager Micky Adams on his return to face his former club. McDonald was forced off after just 13 minutes of last weekend's 3-1 league win at Aldershot with a thigh problem. His replacement in Hampshire, Liam Chilvers, is cup-tied so that possibly leaves an opening for either Gareth Owen or Joe Davis to return to the starting line-up. Skipper Doug Loft (calf) could return to first team action after playing for the reserves this week. Ahead of the second-round tie, Adams, a lifelong Blades fan and manager at Bramall Lane between December 2010 and May 2011, said: "United are a very good side, unbeaten at home so they will be favourites. "But I have got good players who will relish a big match and playing in a big stadium."