Opinion: Defensive Frailties Could Damage Blades Campaign

Injuries mounting in the Sheffield United camp, particularly in defence could scupper any promotion charge with the visit to Stoke City this weekend as United looking to get back to winning ways, following two disappointing results.

After defeating the season’s opening day at Watford, Paul Heckingbottom’s side has gone from strength to strength, climbing to the top of the table. However, their form since returning from the international break has withered following a home draw with Birmingham City and suffering their first home defeat of the season against Queens Park Rangers.

United’s defensive frailties will be assessed to the maximum of the next several months, as the Blades battle against a long list of players sidelined. The Blades are hopeful to see Anel Ahmedhozic return to squad selection following a recent thigh injury, however, they are likely to be without Max Lowe (hamstring), Jack Robinson (knee), Enda Stevens (knock), Ciaran Clark (muscle), and Jack O’Connell (knee), whilst George Baldock suffered an injury in the 1-0 loss to QPR and he too may miss the trip to Staffordshire.

They are also without midfielders John Fleck (broken leg), and Ben Osborn (ankle), through injury and, depending on the state of injury, maybe without Sander Berge too, depending on the results of a scan.

Heckingbottom will also be sweating on the forward line selection after in-form striker, Oli McBurnie, picked up his fifth yellow card after the conclusion of the QPR defeat, resulting in a likely one-match suspension.

Sheffield United’s push for promotion dealt a massive blow when Stoke City was victorious over the Blades in last season’s Championship encounter at the Bet3465 Stadium on 2nd April, where the Potters were 1-0 winners thanks to an unfortunate John Egan own goal on 77 minutes.

Rhys Norrington-Davies and keeper Adam Davies are likely to be included in the Blades squad which travels to the Bet365 Stadium and could feature against their former club. Norrington-Davies, 22 made 20 appearances for the Potters, whilst on loan during the 2020-21 season, where he scored once in a 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers. He signed for Stoke in January 2021 until the conclusion of the season. Meanwhile, Davies, 29 made 41 appearances for Stoke before he joined Sheffield United in January 2022. He signed for Stoke in June 2019, after spending five years at Barnsley, where he made his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Brentford in the FA Cup in January 2020. The German-born Welsh international has yet to make his Blades debut.