The ideal candidate to replace Jack O'Connell as Sheffield United prepare for life without their influential centre-half

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has presented the Premier League club’s board of directors with a shortlist of candidates he believes can fill the void created in his squad by Jack O’Connell’s injury.
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United were forced to redraft their plans for the remainder of the transfer window over the weekend when it emerged O’Connell, one of Wilder’s most influential players, is in danger of missing the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to cure a knee complaint.

Although they view Rhys Norrington-Davies as a potential long-term successor to the 26-year-old centre-half, that prompted Wilder to add a defender to his shopping list having previously stated another centre-forward was the only remaining item after recruiting the likes of Oliver Burke, Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle since the market reopened.

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Suspecting clubs with deeper pockets and aware of United’s track record of identifying unfulfilled potential are monitoring his movements before submitting bids of their own, Wilder is attempting to keep the identities of those he is chasing under wraps - with strikers Rhian Brewster and Folarin Balogun their only confirmed targets.

However, given the demands of the role O’Connell performs within Wilder’s preferred 3-5-2 system, several lines of enquiry have emerged with AFC Bournemouth’s Diego Rico being linked with United by some sections of the media.

But, as The Star revealed earlier this week, Terence Kongolo of Huddersfield Town is viewed as ticking all of the boxes United considered when the seriousness of O’Connell’s predicament was confirmed following a visit to a specialist in London. The Holland international, who started his career with Feyenoord before moving to England via Monaco, is physically imposing and can also operate at left-back - which prompted United to begin monitoring his progress around 12 months ago.

Fulham are also thought to be investigating the possibility of bringing Kongolo back to Craven Cottage following a spell on loan there last season although, having made only two appearances there, he might be loath to return.

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Jack Robinson, who deptutised for O’Connell during United’s recent defeat by Leeds, is set to start again when Wilder’s squad faces Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Ethan Ampadu, on loan from Chelsea, could also fill in for O’Connell but, after expressing he has no plans to change his team’s shape, Wilder recognised that United would be left dangerously short of options if his rearguard suffers any more injuries or suspensions - such as the one which ruled John Egan out of the meeting with Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Jack Robinson deputised for Jack O'Connell when Sheffield United faced Leeds last weekend: Darren Staples/SportimageJack Robinson deputised for Jack O'Connell when Sheffield United faced Leeds last weekend: Darren Staples/Sportimage
Jack Robinson deputised for Jack O'Connell when Sheffield United faced Leeds last weekend: Darren Staples/Sportimage

Ampadu operated effectively in the Republic of Ireland international’s absence but Egan is almost certain to be selected for the match in north London. However, Ampadu could be rewarded with a start ahead of Robinson, although he is known to have impressed Wilder with his grasp of the position in recent months. Robinson has also credited O’Connell with helping him learm how to become an overlapping centre-half following his move from Championship club Nottingham Forest in January, with the former Liverpool youngster showing a marked improvement of late.

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Chris Holt, Football Editor