A few days ago it looked as though United were entering the Watford game with only four, youthful, strikers. However, there is a chance of club captain Billy Sharp being named in the matchday squad, for the season opener against Watford.
Paul Heckingbottom told Yorkshire Live that he was expecting Billy Sharp to return to training yesterday after missing the end of last season with a calf injury. If the 36 year-old is fit for the Blades trip to Watford on Monday night, this will be a huge boost for United.
United have been alternating between playing the pair of Brewster & Ndiaye, with Jebbison & Osula throughout their pre-season campaign. All four had some good moments during their minutes on the pitch, but it is a very young and largely inexperienced line-up.
Rhian Brewster and Iliman Ndiaye would be the senior front men to face Watford, at the age of 22. That’s if Billy Sharp isn’t declared fit for the first game of the season.
Their fellow striker Oli McBurnie, 26, isn’t due back yet having not even returned to full training. The Scot had his season cut short last term after suffering ligament damage, and some fractures in his foot in last seasons 2-1 defeat to Reading in April.
Paul Heckingbottom shared the details on the recovery process of McBurnie:
“Oli’s been out for a length of time, so he’ll take longer coming back than Bill. He was still getting pain in the area in pre-season, so we were reluctant to push and risk, but he’s been reporting that he’s pain free when pushing and changing direction, which is good news.
“So if he stays pain free when he’s putting load on, twisting and training, he’ll fly through it then.” [Yorkshire Live]