Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon is a major doubt for the 124th Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane on Friday night.

Kilgallon missed the 3-2 defeat at Coventry on Tuesday due to a chest infection and boss Kevin Blackwell will leave it late before deciding on his fitness.

Blackwell had hoped to use the emergency loan market to bring in cover but missed out on a deal to sign Zurab Khizanishvili from Blackburn after he joined Newcastle while Bolton defender Danny Shittu has also snubbed a move to the Blades.

Kyle Walker switched from full-back to partner Chris Morgan at the heart of defence at Coventry and could resume his partnership with the Blades skipper.

Full-back Andy Taylor was forced out of the action in midweek due to a back injury and remains doubtful.

Jordan Stewart stepped off the bench to replace Taylor at Coventry and is likely to start if the summer signing from Tranmere fails to make it.

United are also chasing a striker having allowed Billy Sharp to join Doncaster on loan, with summer signing Ched Evans expected to lead the line.

Wednesday could be without defenders Richard Wood and Mark Beevers.

Wood missed the midweek home defeat to Middlesbrough due to a groin injury and remains doubtful, while Beevers was stretchered off on Tuesday night following a collision with his own goalkeeper Lee Grant, which left him with severe bruising to his shin.

Richard Hinds replaced Beevers and is likely to partner skipper Darren Purse in central defence if both Wood and Beevers fail to make it.

Striker Francis Jeffers is available again following his three-game suspension, but may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench due to the current form of Marcus Tudgay and on-loan Luke Varney, while both Akpo Sodje (groin) and Leon Clarke (hamstring) proved they are ready to return after second-half appearances against Middlesbrough.