Sheffield United: Chris Wilder has no issues over Chris Basham’s unavailability for Middlesbrough clash – ‘I’ll play a strong enough team to represent this club’

Chris Wilder, the Blades manager, has no concerns about the unavailability of Chris Basham for tomorrow’s clash against Middlesbrough, insisting: “Whatever team I put out will be strong enough to represent Sheffield United.”
Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield Utd: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder manager of Sheffield Utd: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield Utd: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Basham will miss the Boro clash and Saturday’s meeting with Reading, after picking up his tenth booking of the season against Aston Villa last Friday evening.

Martin Cranie is the favourite to replace him, having deputised for Basham when he missed the New Year’s Day win at Wigan, but Wilder admits he also has other options ahead of the clash with Tony Pulis’ men.

Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield Utd: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder manager of Sheffield Utd: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield Utd: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
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“We’ve got a group of players who have to cope with injuries and suspensions and situations like this,”Wilder said.

“I’m never one to moan and groan about it – it is what it is, and we're missing an important player in Bash.

“But Cranes came in against Wigan and we won 3-0 – he’s an experienced player and we worked to make the group stronger than it was year for situations like this.

“We have to get over it, and crack on. I’ve got absolutely no issues with it.

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“We could play Martin, go to a four or pick someone else. Whoever I play and whoever pulls on a shirt, it’ll be a strong enough team to represent Sheffield United.”

Marvin Johnson is also ineligible to face his parent club, but Scott Hogan should return to the squad after missing out against Villa.