Jack Rodwell is set to make his first appearance of the season for Sheffield United this weekend.
Manager Chris Wilder has confirmed Rodwell is set to be involved in the FA Cup fourth round match against Plymouth Argyle.
The 29-year-old is yet to play for the Blades in 2020/21 after signing a new one-year contract last summer.
Some were surprised Rodwell didn’t play a part in the previous round of the FA Cup, when United beat another League One side in Bristol Rovers.
Yet Wilder has since revealed that the former Everton and Sunderland man was injured.
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However, Rodwell has recovered from that setback and should feature against Plymouth on Saturday afternoon.
“Jack Rodwell has trained this week so hopefully he’ll be involved at the weekend,” Wilder said in his pre-match press conference.
As well as Rodwell, will anyone else return for Sheffield United?
Rodwell was one of eight players who were unavailable to Wilder due to injuries.
Unfortunately for the Blades boss, the England international is the only one who will return this weekend.
Sander Berge and Jack O’Connell are long-term absentees, while Lys Mousset and Jack Robinson are also out.
There was some hope Oli McBurnie and Ben Osborn might play some part against Argyle, but Wilder has dismissed that.
“They’re still not ready,” the 53-year-old continued.
“They’ve still not gone through the clearance sessions that we do for them to be able to join the group.”
Where will Rodwell play?
Rodwell has played just twice for United since joining the South Yorkshire club on an initial short-term deal a year ago.
In each appearance, he featured in a different position.
Rodwell has the ability to play on either the right side of the back three, or in central midfield.
The Blades are likely to go strong on Saturday, even though two divisions separate them and their opponents.
That’s because their Premier League form has been so woeful and victory in the cup could give them a much needed lift.
Just as it did in the last round, when a 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers was followed by beating Newcastle United in the top flight.
Therefore, whether Rodwell starts the game is doubtful. Yet he is clearly a versatile option to bring off the bench.
