Sheffield United: Bold claim about Paul Heckingbottom's midfield ahead of West Bromwich Albion tie

With James McAtee expected to make his Sheffield United debut and fellow loanee Reda Khadra in line for a start, Paul Heckingbottom’s selections for tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie at West Bromwich Albion will underline the wealth of midfield options now at the visitors’ disposal according to assistant manager Stuart McCall.
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Speaking ahead of the first round clash, McCall revealed he felt the presence of “John Fleck and Oliver Norwood and Sander (Berge)” meant United’s engine room was as powerful as anything in the Championship last term.

With McAtee joining his Manchester City team mate Tommy Doyle in South Yorkshire and Khadra also completing a temporary transfer to Bramall Lane earlier this summer, the former Scotland international is convinced it is one of the best - if not the best - in England’s second tier.

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“I thought when I came in, our midfield matched anything else in the league,” said McCall, who was appointed as Heckingbottom’s number two in November. “Now, for me, it’s even stronger.

“When you watch the lads in training and games, it really can be a joy. When teams are trying to press us, we’ve got players who can move it and nip around the other side. There’s others who bring so many different things to the table.”

Although Doyle is unlikely to feature at The Hawthorns after being injured during United’s preparations for the new campaign, both McAtee and Khadra are in line to take part. Sander Berge, a Norway international, is expected to be rested ahead of Sunday’s trip to Middlesbrough amid doubts about his long term future. Club Brugge want to take him back to Belgium, where he was previously employed before completing a £22m move to United. Losing Berge would deal a major blow to United’s hopes of enjoying a successful season, although there are suspicions that McAtee was recruited to cover for this eventuality.

Reda Khadra of Sheffield United could make his full debut for the cluyb at West Bromwich Albion: Simon Bellis / SportimageReda Khadra of Sheffield United could make his full debut for the cluyb at West Bromwich Albion: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Reda Khadra of Sheffield United could make his full debut for the cluyb at West Bromwich Albion: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

“Tempo is the key for us,” said McCall. “When we move the ball quickly, that’s when I think we’re at our best because it really helps the skills we’ve got in there.

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“If everyone stays fighting fit then there’s going to be a lot of tough decisions for the manager to make. That’s exactly what he’ll want though.”