The Blades were short handed last Saturday against Crystal Palace due to fitness issues, and therefore had to field a makeshift midfield consisting of Chris Basham and Ben Osborn alongside Oli Norwood.
Sheffield United had four new signings on the bench, whilst Bénie Traoré started up top with Will Osula. Meanwhile United youngsters Andre Brooks, Antwoine Hackford, Louie Marsh and Femi Seriki made up the rest of the outfield options.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Paul Heckingbottom gave his latest injury news breakdown ahead of United’s trip to Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Heckingbottom was asked about the availability of Rhian Brewster, Oli McBurnie and Vinícius Souza:
“Rhian is progressing but we are not considering him for minutes yet in terms of the first team because of the length of time he has had out. We are just taking our time with him. Oli is back in training and for consideration [for Forest] but he has missed the bulk of the football over pre-season and is another one we need to get up to speed, as is Souza.”
Gustavo Hamer will likely be fit and ready to be handed his Sheffield United debut on Friday evening.
Max Lowe was forced off against Palace but the gaffer told the press that it was mainly cramp. Although, he did admit that the left-wingback is carrying a minor ankle injury:
“Yeah, OK, a bit fatigued. Lowey is carrying a little ankle injury as well, he did it on a sprinkler at Derby but it was cramp what he came off with the other day, so yeah he’s fine.”
George Baldock was practically immobile in the final stages of last Saturday, but that was also down to cramping. And Baldock could have competition for his position once more as Heckingbottom confirms that Jayden Bogle is close to returning:
“Hopefully, we will have Jayden back with us soon enough, so bit by bit getting stronger whether that’s players returning or bodies through the door.”
