Sheffield United: Blades boss Chris Wilder gives an update on top scorer Leon Clarke's injury return

The centre-forward was withdrawn from United’s squad at St Andrews due to a back spasm but should receive the all-clear to face Preston North End, manager Chris Wilder confirmed.

“Leon, I’m not sure exactly what the prognosis is,” he said.

“We’ll assess it. He got better Thursday to Friday and then Friday to Saturday but wasn’t well enough to be involved. If he carries on that progression, though, he should be fit for selection.”

Speaking after a result which all but ended United’s play-off hopes, Wilder added: “Leon was a big loss for us.

The only bright part of the game for me was the start. We just didn't play good enough individually all over the pitch. We lost too many balls and made some really poor decisions.

"When we have done well we have played as a group. On this occasion there were too many players who had a poor game.

"When that happens you know you are not going to get a result. We didn't deserve to win as Birmingham did enough to take the points and that is all that matters.

"We had a great opportunity to achieve something this season. But we have not come up with big enough moments when we were doing well. That is the difference between us the teams who are in the play-offs."