Sheffield United’s return to Championship action is only around the corner as they prepare to face Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday night. The Blades have enjoyed a flying start to the league season and remain unbeaten with six wins and three draws from their opening nine games.
They are three points above Leeds, who sit fifth with four wins, four draws and one defeat. It promises to be an intriguing encounter as the two promotion rivals go head to head in West Yorkshire. The Whites pursuit of Blades’ star Gustavo Hamer during the summer has added some spice to the contests between the sides this season and Chris Wilder will be eager to lay a marker down early in the campaign.
Ahead of the game, we have rounded up the latest injury news from both camps, with a handful of players from both clubs set to miss out.
![Solomon arrived on loan at Leeds with a sketchy injury record and has been suffering with back and hamstring issues since the 1-0 defeat against Burnley last month. Could be back later this month. Farke said of the winger last week: “We were hoping [Solomon] could be involved today [Thursday] in training but it was not impossible. I expect the game [vs Sunderland] comes a bit too soon for him and we go with what we've got.”](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/09/19/17/17/GettyImages-2171933162.jpeg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
5. Manor Solomon - possible return
Solomon arrived on loan at Leeds with a sketchy injury record and has been suffering with back and hamstring issues since the 1-0 defeat against Burnley last month. Could be back later this month. Farke said of the winger last week: “We were hoping [Solomon] could be involved today [Thursday] in training but it was not impossible. I expect the game [vs Sunderland] comes a bit too soon for him and we go with what we've got.” | Getty Images
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6. Max Wober - out
Out since the last international break after suffering a knee injury while away with Austria. Meniscus surgery was avoided at first but Wober went under the knife last week, with the expectation being he will miss around six weeks of action. | Getty Images
7. Ethan Ampadu - out
Leeds’ club captain is unlikely to play again this year after suffering a serious injury to the lateral collateral ligament in his knee during last week’s 3-0 win over Coventry City | Getty Images
8. Ilia Gruev - out
Another long-term injury absentee after the Bulgarian had suffered a ‘significant’ injury to his meniscus during the draw with Norwich City. Is set for surgery and the YEP understands Gruev is looking at months out, rather than weeks, before he can return to training. His international coach recently said he expects the player to be out for five months. | Getty Images