Ward: Blades are on the up

Ashley Ward believes Sheffield United are just beginning to reap the rewards for their impressive start to the season.

The Blades striker scored his first goal of the season in his side’s 2-0 win over Yorkshire rivals Leeds yesterday.

Neil Warnock’s team have now won their last two games after failing to win any of their first three matches, but Ward insists they have been better than their points tally suggests, with a trip to London to face QPR next on the agenda tomorrow night.

“Points-wise we are picking up momentum but performance-wise we could have won every game.

"We didn’t get the points we deserved in the first few games but it seems to be coming right,” Ward told the club’s official website www.sufc.co.uk.

Blades boss Neil Warnock is expected to stick with the same side that beat Leeds after midfielder Paul Thirlwell suffered no reaction to the shin problem he sustained against Stockport in the Carling Cup.

Warnock however does have options with Simon Francis, Nick Montgomery and strike pair Barry Hayles and Jack Lester all pushing for places.

QPR boss Ian Holloway has hinted he could bring a player in on loan before the encounter at Loftus Road.

Central defender Terrell Forbes limped out of the 1-0 win at Gillingham on Friday and Holloway is keen to draft in a replacement.

Striker Tony Thorpe remains sidelined with a troublesome ankle injury, but Marc Bircham could be promoted from the bench after a second-half appearance as substitute on Friday.

Jamie Cureton continues to vie for a place up front with Lee Cook but Dan Shittu is unlikely to feature after missing the Gillingham game with a knee injury.

In tomorrow’s other match, Sunderland travel to Reading looking for their first away win of the season.

The Wearsiders are likely to be without defender Stephen Caldwell due to a knee injury suffered in the 1-1 draw with Wigan on Saturday.

Julio Arca should be fit despite leaving the field against Wigan due to the after-effects of a jellyfish sting the previous Wednesday.

Reading boss Steve Coppell may be tempted to make changes after the Royals’ 1-0 defeat at Millwall on Saturday.

Striker Shaun Goater will be hoping to start after coming off the substitutes’ bench at the New Den.

Midfielder Bobby Convey could also start after replacing Glen Little after 14 minutes of that game due to a niggling hamstring problem.