Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor should return from groin and hamstring injuries respectively at Bramall Lane, while fellow defender Danny Simpson, on loan from Manchester United, is likely to be available after an ankle problem.
Midfielder Alan Smith is also back in the squad after missing the 2-1 victory over Doncaster at St James' Park last Saturday through suspension, but defender Zurab Khizanishvili starts a three-match ban for his red card in that game after the club lost their appeal.