Sheffield United have a positive injury update ahead of their trip to West Bromwich Albion.
The Blades are set to welcome back two players from the medical room. The Sheffield Star reports both George Baldock and Jack O’Connell will be available for this weekend’s game.
Baldock missed the 4-0 win against Reading after suffering a calf problem in the previous match with Middlesbrough. O’Connell, meanwhile, has missed United’s last two outings with a hamstring strain.
The centre-back in particular had been a key part of manager Chris Wilder’s plans up until that point. O’Connell had not missed a single minute of league action before that 1-0 victory over Boro.
Baldock on the other hand has been vying for a place at right wing-back this season with Kieron Freeman. The 26-year-old has made 17 Championship appearances in 2018/19, although had started 13 consecutive league games before his injury.
(Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Wilder will be given further defensive reinforcement by the return of Chris Basham as well. Basham has now served a two-match suspension and can also play against West Brom.
“I have some difficult decisions to make,” said Wilder.
“That’s how it is, they all get on with it and no matter who starts and who comes off the bench on Saturday, I feel we’re growing and enjoying the challenge.”
Who will play?
Without Basham and O’Connell for the past two fixtures Wilder has had to construct a makeshift central defence. Usual left-back Enda Stevens has been moved there while Martin Cranie has been given rare successive starts.
The thing is, with those two either side of John Egan the Blades have kept two clean-sheets and won both matches. Prior to that, with Basham and O’Connell alongside Egan, United threw away a three-goal lead at Aston Villa to draw 3-3.
Against fellow promotion chasers does Wilder stick with what he’s got or field a more recognised defence?
