Chris Wilder reveals when new Sheffield United signing Matt Doherty will make debut
Sheffield United played Huddersfield behind closed doors on Tuesday but one of the new boys was absent
Matt Doherty’s arrival at Sheffield United was announced on Monday night but he’s had to wait for his debut.
United took on Huddersfield on Tuesday afternoon, coming from a goal down to pick up another pre-season victory in a behind-closed-doors match at Shirecliffe.
Tom Cannon scored the equaliser from the spot before Sam McCallum and Tahith Chong registered to give the Blades the win.
Doherty wasn’t in the line-up for the match against the Terriers, though, with manager Chis Wilder revealing that he had been put through his paces earlier in the day.
The Republic of Ireland international watched on as his team mates picked up their third pre-season win of the summer after previous victories over Halifax Town and Levante.
Wilder added that a first outing in a United shirt for Doherty will come against Rotherham this weekend.
“Yes, I think [Doherty] has been watching on a little bit tired and exhausted because we've given him a right good going over today,” Wilder said.
“He'll be involved on Saturday at Rotherham. We've talked about culture, we've talked about standard setters, we've talked about competition for Femi and Matt brings all those things he's going to push.
“He wants to get in the team, he's not coming here to see his career out.I met him at Bramall Lane, walked him round the pitch and we shared some good memories there about his time at Wolves.
“His CV is outstanding and he had a contract issue at Wolves and we've jumped in and he's delighted that he's pledging his short-term future to us and we've got a proper player and a proper pro to add to a decent group that we're trying to assemble.”
Trialist Rabbi Matondo made another appearance off the bench in the win over Huddersfield - who had announced former Blades assistant Alan Knill as part of their coaching staff earlier in the week - as he continues to make his case for a contract at Bramall Lane.
Three players - including the return of Jairo Riedewald - have been brought in so far with Doherty’s arrival coming after the loan signing of Romelle Donovan from Brentford and while Wilder insists he has made ‘two really smart signings’ he says that has to continue tio be the theme of the new arrivals.
“I understand people want signings, but we've got to be clever and smart with our signings,” he added. “You know, we've made two really smart signings already. Romelle’s fitted in seamlessly, Matt's in the building, Jairo has obviously committed to us again.
“We're chasing, we know what positions we're after. We're working extremely hard in terms of a couple of positions that we need to fill.
“I want to get the right ones in. I don't just want to get them in for the sake of getting them in and everybody be excited. I want them to be excited when we announce them and go, yeah, that's a good one.”
United travel to the New York Stadium on Saturday to face Rotherham before travelling to take on German side VfL Bochum.
“I'm delighted the way pre-season has gone in terms of the players, the challenges that we've had, said Wilder. “A great week in Valencia, finished by a good performance, strong win against Levante, a La Liga team. Another good afternoon for us against Huddersfield, who I'm expecting to go well in League One. At Rotherham, we always take a few.
“Another progression in our schedule and the Bochum one for me really tops it off. So, yeah, really excited about that. I know the players are and hopefully the fans will get on board and we can get as many Unitedites over there as possible.”