United are without defensive duo Joe Wilcox and Andy Crosby who are ruled out with knee injuries, while new signing Kenny Milne may not last 90 minutes as he's suffering with blisters.
"Hopefully Grant will be able to play a part", Adkins told the Scunthorpe Telegraph.
"He will probably start on the bench and get a run-out at some stage in the second half."
New signings Milne, Garry Thompson, Gary Hooper and Michael Lea are all expected to be on show for United.
Billy Sharp returns to Glanford Park for the second time since he made the £2million pound move to Bramall Lane, while new boy Darius Henderson may get a run out for the Blades.
Missing for Kevin Blackwell's men is the former England forward James Beattie, who is recovering from a knee operation ahead of the new campaign.
The Blades first team have won all three of their pre-season fixtures so far, scoring 10 goals in the process on a recent tour of Holland
The fixture kicks off at 3pm with seating areas ALL TICKET for home fans. Tickets are on sale up until kick-off from the ticket office priced £10 adults and £5 concessions. Cash will only accepted at the Doncaster Road End turnstiles.