Hull City v Sheff Utd
FA Cup fifth round replay Venue: KC Stadium Date: Thursday, 26 February Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Hull defender Anthony Gardner, who recently returned after five months out with a thigh injury, is likely to be rested while Kevin Kilbane is cup-tied.
Matt Duke may make way for Boaz Myhill in goal while Craig Fagan is not fit to return after his minor knee operation.
Recent Sheffield United signings Craig Beattie, Arturo Lupoli, Leigh Bromby and Jamie Ward are all cup-tied.
Ian Bennett (gastroenteritis), Brian Howard (hamstring) and Matt Kilgallon (back) are also expected to miss out.
Hull assistant manager Brian Horton said:
"[It is a] massive game for us, we haven't been in the quarter final for so many years so that's another good one for us.
"Squad players should aim, if they play well, score a couple of goals, why shouldn't they play on Sunday [against Blackburn]?
"The bottom line is we need a result, winning's a habit so if we win in the FA Cup we might follow it up with one in the league."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Sheffield United of the Championship held Premier League Hull to a 1-1 draw when these two originally went toe to toe in this Yorkshire derby fifth round tie on the Saturday before last. Greg Halford put the Blades ahead with an early goal, Kamil Zayatte equalised with a powerful header before the interval.
Sheffield United claimed Premier League scalps in Bolton and Manchester City last season before eventually succumbing to Middlesbrough in the replay, after holding them to a goalless draw at Bramall Lane.
The Tigers have already accounted for Newcastle and Millwall in this cup run. Indeed their 2-0 home win over the Lions in the fourth round on 24 January was the last time they experienced victory in any competition.
The League ladder
Sheffield United are 14 places below Hull in the league standings.
Referee
Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Next round
The winners will be away to either Arsenal or Burnley in the quarter-finals.
FA CUP RECORDS AND BEST PERFORMANCES
HULL CITY
Current form
No win in five; three draws, two losses (all competitions).
Won two of 14; both victories being in the FA Cup.
Recent FA Cup performance
Qualified for the last 16 for the first time since 1989, when knocked out by eventual winners Liverpool; not reached the quarter-finals for 37 years.
The Manager
Phil Brown is looking for his third FA Cup victory as manager of Hull.
FA Cup fact
The last time the Tigers were knocked out by a club from a lower division was eight years ago, when Conference side Kettering eliminated the then fourth tier outfit, in a first round replay in November 2000.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Current form
Won one of six league and cup games; 1-2, away to Southampton in the Championship on 3 February.
Undefeated in 12 on the road in all competitions; won six and drawn two away from Bramall Lane, since losing 0-1 against arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the league at Hillsborough on 19 October.
Recent FA Cup performance
Hoping to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004.
The Manager
The original tie with Hull at Bramall Lane marked the first anniversary of Kevin Blackwell's appointment as Blades' boss.
FA Cup fact
Geg Halford has scored three goals in as many rounds for Sheffield United this season, but has not found the back of the net in every round.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
Sheffield United have not lost to Hull in 14 meetings. Prior to their cup clash at Bramall Lane, the Blades had won seven and drawn six second and third level league games since Hull's 4-1 home win on 8 October 1983, in the old Third Division.
FA Cup
Sheffield United won on the only previous occasion these clubs were paired together in the competition. The Blades secured a 2-0 home victory in a first round replay, after drawing 1-1 at Boothferry Park in November 1982.
