The postponement of Saturday's fixture at Peterborough United might have a sliver lining for the Blades who were left frustrated by the late announcement of a pitch inspection and subsequent call-off.

Kevin Blackwell and his squad had finished their preparations and were getting ready to depart for the stadium when the bad news filtered through:

"We felt a bit let down because we were in the hotel almost ready to set-off when we heard that there was a doubt - if it was unplayable at noon it must have been unplayable long before that.

"It is disappointing that many supporters got all the way down - there was snow on one side of the pitch in the shadow of the stand and on the other where the sun had melted the ice it was virtually standing in water.

"Although I understand from Peterborough's point of view that they were probably desperate to get the game on, surely our fans had to be considered - it was hardly ten minutes down the road for them."

On the positive side, if the game had gone ahead Blackwell may well have been forced to field players who were not fully fit, but now he can plan for the visit of Plymouth on Saturday with real hope that the situation will have improved:

"Marcel Seip, still recovering form a hamstring injury, would have had to play at right-back and Chris Morgan had had an injection for his rib to play but they needed time before playing - and extra week now means that 'Morgs' will definitely be fit, whilst Seip can't play against Plymouth anyway because he is on loan from them.

"Kyle Bartley was estimated to be between ten and fourteen days away when he picked up a knock so his availability at the weekend will still be touch and go - it depends how quickly he recovers."

Meanwhile, Derek Geary, who was injured at Nottingham Forest last Tuesday, will have an MRI scan on his still swollen ankle on Monday.