Simon Ramsden is set to gloss over nine months of injury anguish with a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy chance at Sheffield United tonight.

Phil Parkinson has confirmed that City’s much-missed defender will play some part in the televised Bramall Lane clash.

Ramsden has come through three weeks of proper training unscathed and his boss believes he is now ready for his first senior outing since February.

Parkinson is ready to make changes for the northern area quarter-final and Jon McLaughlin could get the nod in goal ahead of Saturday’s fall guy Matt Duke.

But it is Ramsden’s return that will most delight fans after his long drawn-out recovery from assorted hip and calf injuries.

Parkinson said: “He’s had a practice match, 60 minutes of a very good game in the reserves and the next stage of his development is to play some time at first-team level.

“He’s looking at this as his chance. He’s very positive that he’s ready and that’s good. He’s in a million times better place mentally now than when I first came to the club.”

Full story, including team news, in today's Telegraph & Argus