Sheffield United are set to make a big decision over Rhian Brewster

Brewster, a £23.5m signing from reigning champions Liverpool, has spent the week at United’s Steelphalt Academy training complex after withdrawing from the England under-21 squad held to a 3-3 draw by Andorra on Wednesday.

The decision, taken with the blessing of Young Lions head coach Aidy Boothroyd, is designed to ensure the 20-year-old fully comprehends the demands of his new manager Chris Wilder’s 3-5-2 system and sharpens his fitness following what proved to be a protracted exit from Anfield.

After losing their opening four matches of the new season, Wilder views Brewster as the solution to his team’s problems in front of goal, which see them prepare for the meeting with Scott Parker’s side having scored only twice in all competitions since competition resumed last month. Both of those efforts have been converted by David McGoldrick, although with the Republic of Ireland international on target only twice for United last term, Wilder felt it was crucial United drafted in Brewster in order to improve their survival chances.

“We go with two up top,” he said before the youngster’s official unveiling at United’s training complex. “That means we need options. We’ve got one (Lys Mousset) out and so that meant we needed to bring someone in. It’s not just about the numbers, though. We also wanted to improve the group, which we think this will do.”

Although United have yet to decide if Brewster will start against Fulham, who are also searching for their first point of the campaign, only injury or illness will prevent him from being handed a prominent role against the visitors from west London.

Brewster, who started his career as a youth team player with Chelsea before heading to the North-West, netted 11 times in 22 appearances during a spell on loan at Swansea City earlier this year and also attracted interest from Newcastle, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace before switching to South Yorkshire following talks with his advisors.

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