Page 9 - Jon Stead News Today

Town boss Jim Magilton is urging his players to view Saturdays trip to Sheffield United as the most important game of their lives”. The Blues are currently seven points from the play-off places with only six games left.

Town boss Roy Keane will be looking for his side to secure their Championship status during an Easter period in which they face Reading at home and then Derby County away. The Blues manager expects two very tricky matches as his 16th-placed side seek to finally drag themselves away from the relegation fight.

Town have confirmed that thet have launched an appeal against the red card Damien Delaney received in Saturdays victory over Scunthorpe. The Irishman faces a three-match ban for a dismissal for serious foul play if referee Pat Miller’s decision is upheld.

Boss Roy Keane has revealed that the Blues have recalled defender Tommy Smith from his loan spell at Brentford as cover for the red-carded Damien Delaney. Town will decide whether to appeal Delaney’s dismissal this morning.

All the key statistics, figures and history between Sunderland and Sheffield United as they prepare to meet on Wednesday evening.

All the key statistics, figures and history between Sunderland and Sheffield United as they prepare to meet on Wednesday evening.

All the key statistics, figures and history between Sunderland and Sheffield United as they prepare to meet on Wednesday evening.

Adding to promotion-pushing Town’s points total is the most important aspect of Sunday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Carrow Road for manager Mick McCarthy (Sky Sports 3, from 2pm, KO 2.05pm).

Chief executive Simon Clegg says the Blues were in a “cash positive position” after the January transfer window loan deals which saw strikers Daryl Murphy and David Healy come in from Premier League Sunderland and Jon Stead, Alex Bruce and Tamás Priskin move out on a short-term basis to Championship sides Coventry, Leicester and QPR.

On-loan striker Jon Stead netted the first goal of his loan spell at Coventry as the Sky Blues beat Scunthorpe 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena. Stead put his side in front in the 55th minute with a low shot from inside the area.