Chris Wilder welcomes difficult dilemmas as Sheffield United handed huge fitness boost ahead of Derby County clash
Sheffield United have been handed another huge fitness boost ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Derby County, handing Chris Wilder the sort of selection dilemma he craves
Sheffield United have been handed a boost ahead of tomorrow's game against Derby County at Bramall Lane, after right-back Femi Seriki was declared available again. But boss Chris Wilder admits the returning key man may not go straight back into the United side.
Seriki has been missing since the League Cup win at Blackburn Rovers earlier this season, with Hamza Choudhury deployed as an emergency right-back in his absence. But his return gives the Blades another option as they look to build on their recent upturn in performances and results.
United have missed the likes of Seriki, Harrison Burrows and Ryan One in recent weeks and the impact of the latter two has been evident since they returned to the side. And the increased competition for places is now making Wilder’s selection decisions more difficult.
“It's really difficult now for them to go straight back in,” he said, after confirming Seriki’s return from a knee injury. “Back in the day when they would be fortunate enough to go and play some reserve games.
“Have two or three reserve games to get the minutes in. Play 45, 60, 75 minutes and then be ready to start games, it's a little bit more complicated now.”
Burrows made his return to the starting XI by playing the full game in victory at Bristol City on Saturday and the return of their two best attacking wing-backs offers Wilder the option to go to a back three.
“Harrison, I thought, was outstanding on Saturday and he's been involved with the group,” Wilder added. “So to get Femi back gives us a really good option in that position.
“We're not stuck at one formation,” he said. “The game has changed. There are different ways to play, different ways to build, different ways to create and different ways to finish.”
One’s return to fitness also gives United a welcome option of pace and power from the bench, as well as the tricky Brentford loanee Romelle Donovan if right-wing rival Tahith Chong keeps his place against the struggling Rams.
“They [One and Donovan] gave us an attacking option and outlet in the last 10 or 15 minutes on Saturday, which resulted in us creating three or four pretty good chances,” Wilder said.
“Of course, we all want all our players to be fit and healthy. And I always, as I've consistently said to you, want difficult decisions. And now we’re coming to that stage ... with the introduction of those boys, we've got those difficult decisions.”