Oliver Arblaster closing in on huge Sheffield United return as Chris Wilder sets challenge
Oliver Arblaster closing in on huge Sheffield United return as Chris Wilder sets challenge
Oliver Arblaster’s return to fitness with Sheffield United is “just a matter of timing,” manager Chris Wilder has admitted, after the Blades youngster took another big step in his recovery earlier this week. The boyhood Blade is on the comeback trail from a year-long absence with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
He played around an hour of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Liverpool earlier this week, the Blades running out 4-1 winners with Gus Hamer and Tahith Chong also getting some valuable gametime in their own fitness bids.
The 21-year-old has not played a senior game since last November’s Steel City derby win over Wednesday and won’t be rushed back before he is ready, but his return will be another big boost for the Blades after their recent resurgence.
“Yeah, he's getting there,” boss Wilder said. “So, pretty close. We've got another big week of Championship football ahead, and there's a couple of U21 games in there as well before the turn of the year. So, he'll play his football. So, it's just a matter of timing, really.
“But he's ticked every box on his rehab. And I'm delighted that he's back amongst us. Just even watching him integrate into the group. I talked about it last week; when you get good players coming back into your group, the standards are lifted.
“And watching the behind-closed-doors game, which was a really good one, I was delighted as well. The attitude of the players was first class. Sometimes these games fizzle out. But it was a really competitive one. I thank Rob Page for bringing his young Liverpool team over.
Oliver Arblaster closing in on huge Sheffield United return as Chris Wilder sets challenge
“So, we both got a lot out of it. We got valuable minutes into our players, the likes of Blaster and Gus Hamer and Chong. Boys that have not been involved as well. And speaking to Rob afterwards, he was delighted. Because he knew it would have a competitive edge and feel.
“I said to the players who have not been managed under me. This is how I want the team and the club to look like. Whatever we do, we're competitive. Whatever it is. Pre-season, behind closed doors games. And we get the maximum out of it.
“And Ollie got the maximum out of it. Gus did and all the other players. So delighted. So, he's in and around it. I know a lot has been talked about Ollie Arblaster. This, that and the other. Which I get. And I’m a big fan.
“But two boys in there are doing really well at the moment as well. [Djibril] Soumare has come on and added something to us. He's raised his standards as well. So, he's got a challenge on in terms of getting into the team.
“Tom Davies is on his road to recovery as well. Maybe that isn't something in the next week or two that will happen. But Tom will come back and he's got to fight his way through those players. But I’m delighted to add another one to our group of talented midfield players.”
If he was given the chance Arblaster would have declared himself fit a long time ago, but instead the responsibility for his return is being placed with those more medically qualified to avoid heart ruling head.
“He's not a physio, is he?” smiled Wilder. “He's a footballer. Just go on being a footballer. Do as you're told. Go on with it. Run about. Do this, do that. Have this day off. Work this day. Be in the gym now.
“Slow yourself down. Don't have an opinion. Crack on. He didn't go to university, did he? Didn't go to university. Didn't go to medical school. He isn’t a physio. Hasn't had the experience of Dr Bryan English. Hasn't had the experience of Matt who works at Liverpool and all the physios. Hasn't had the experience of Tom Little and the sports scientists and all our medical team.
“So get on. Be a good pro. And we'll deal with it. I'm taking the emotion out of it from myself as well. We're all delighted to see him back. I’m delighted that he was at Hillsborough [when United beat their local rivals 3-0 last month.
“I thought it was a special moment for him as well. He didn't play but he wanted to be a part of it. And he's a huge player for us. But it's us that directs his journey physically. Now all he has to do is be a good footballer. Get on with it.
“Work his way back to full fitness. So he can go and play 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes. And his biggest challenge is getting on the bench and then trying to get on the team.”