Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has given an injury update on those players in the treatment room.
As things stand only Kean Bryan and John Fleck are absent from the squad with fitness issues.
Fleck picked up a hamstring problem during the 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Bryan injured his ankle as the Blades knocked Blackburn Rovers out of the Carabao Cup.
“John will be given whatever time he needs,” Wilder told the Sheffield Star. “It’s important he’s right because it’s a long old season.
“By and large, for me, our fitness record has been excellent. We need competition, and the injuries we have picked up have been mostly unavoidable, the things that you always expect to get along the way.”
Sheffield United injury update – when will they be back?
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The report says that Fleck could be in contention after the international break. United’s first game back sees them host Southampton in the league on September 14.
Luckily for Wilder it is less pressing for him to rush Fleck back into the team because of the fine form of Luke Freeman.
The Blades started the new season with a midfield three of John Lundstram, Oliver Norwood and Fleck. When the Scot was forced off against Palace, Freeman replaced him.
The 27-year-old’s quick feet and trickery then set up Lundstram for the winner and he has started their two league matches since.
For Fleck, while this means he can take extra time to fully recover, it also hints that he might not get his place back even when fit.
This is positive for Wilder, as it’s always useful to have options, competition and players fighting for their position. Unfortunately for Fleck, it could be seen as a setback in establishing himself as a top flight star.
As for Bryan, the defender is some way from the first team in any case. Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell have started all the league games so far, with Phil Jagielka as first reserve.