Sheffield United 1 - 2 Port Vale

Sheffield United v Port Vale: Preview

Updated: August 10, 2009, 5:50 PM UK

Sheffield United will be without Ched Evans, Kyle Walker and David Cotterill for their first-round Carling Cup clash against Port Vale at Bramall Lane.

All three players are on international duty and Blades manager Kevin Blackwell will be forced into several changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Middlesbrough on Friday.

Ian Bennett will replace on-loan Blackburn goalkeeper Mark Bunn - Paddy Kenny is still suspended due to a failed drugs test.

Lee Williamson is sidelined with a back problem sustained on the pre-season tour of Malta and both Jamie Ward and Lee Hendrie are suspended.

Summer signings Kyel Reid and Glen Little could both make their first competitive appearances and Billy Sharp is hoping to feature after remaining on the substitutes' bench at the Riverside.

Manager Micky Adams will travel with a similar squad to the one that salvaged a 1-1 draw against Rochdale at the weekend.

Captain Tommy Fraser made his debut as a 70th-minute substitute and he may be afforded more minutes on the pitch as he steps up his rehabilitation from ankle ligament damage.

Kris Taylor, Doug Loft and Geoff Horsfield all made their first competitive starts at Vale Park and will again look to be involved, with Horsfield certain to want to prove a point against his former employers following a difficult spell at Bramall Lane.

Transfer-listed quintet Luke Prosser, Danny Edwards, Steve Thompson, David Howland and Danny Glover are again unlikely to feature, with Ross Davidson, who was also made available, now on loan at Stafford Rangers.

Goalkeeper Joe Anyon remains sidelined with a broken leg while midfielder Simon Richman is struggling with a pelvic injury.

Elsewhere, Adams is understood to be keen to try and resurrect a loan deal for Colchester striker Jamie Guy before the end of the transfer window. His proposed move broke down on Friday after the news he needs an operation to tidy up a knee cartilage injury.