Bristol City v Sheffield United: Morgan Gibbs-White scores stunning equaliser for Blades

George Baldock of Sheffield United attempts to get past Daniel Bentley of Bristol City: Darren Staples / Sportimage

The Blades somehow clung onto their play-off place over the weekend despite losing to struggling Reading, and at this stage of the season it is just about clinging in there as they look to qualify for the end-of-season shootout and give themselves a chance of regaining their place in the Premier League.

United manager Paul Heckingbottom believes he has identified the reasons behind his team’s shock defeat by Reading, as preparations for the visit to Bristol City gathered pace.

United and their coaching staff analysed footage of the game at Bramall Lane over the weekend.

“There are things for us to go through but, as always, the focus is on the next game,” the Blades boss said. “We are learning all the time. But one thing we do know is that we want to be getting in front and we want teams to be pushing against us, because they are behind.”

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Bristol City v Blades LIVE from Ashton Gate

Mon, 18 Apr, 2022, 16:26 BST

The Blades are in the building

with Fleck and Basham having made the trip - no sign of Billy Sharp on these pics though

Mon, 18 Apr, 2022, 16:01 BST

Ndiaye: Blades are “ready for war” at City

Iliman Ndiaye has vowed Sheffield United are ready for war at Bristol City this evening, revealing he is prepared to sacrifice his own personal ambitions in order to help Paul Heckingbottom’s side reach the Premier League.

The French attacker, who spearheads a promising stable of young talent which has progressed through Bramall Lane’s youth system, could be handed a leading role between now and the end of the season following a series of injuries to key players.

Ndiaye, who scored United’s only goal during Good Friday’s shock 2-1 defeat by Reading, said: “For me personally, the play-offs are still there. It is up to us now to go into the next game and be ready. It is a battle and we need to make sure that we win that battle.

“All I’m bothered about is focusing on the remaining games, trying to get into the play-offs and then getting promoted.

“We all have a role now. Whoever is in the squad, whoever isn’t in the squad, we all need to be pushing each other.

“We are and that’s really good to see. We need to do this as a team.”

Sheffield United foward makes heartfelt pledge as play-off battle rages

Mon, 18 Apr, 2022, 15:51 BST

M A T C H D A Y

and the Blades are back in action looking to bounce back from Friday’s disappointing defeat at home to Reading - somehow they escaped from that without too much damage in terms of their play-off hopes but you have to say that there won’t be too many second chances - so they can’t afford too many more slip-ups, if any, in the four games they have remaining