Sheffield United confirm key centre-half will feature in their latest Premier League squad

Wilder revealed earlier today that O’Connell, who underwent surgery to correct a long-standing knee complaint in September, had travelled to London to be examined by the specialist responsible for performing the procedure this week following concerns about his progress.

Describing the situation as “expected” due to the nature of the operation, Wilder explained the complications O’Connell had reported were not serious enough to warrant revising the roster he is preparing to send to PL headquarters.

“He’s down in London,” Wilder said. “He will be in the squad but it’s a set-back and a huge miss for us.”

O’Connell’s physical presence and passing repertoire made him a pivotal figure in the 3-5-2 system Wilder has employed for much of his reign at Bramall Lane, which has seen United climb from League One to the top-flight since appointing the 53-year-old in 2016. After finishing ninth last season and challenging for a place in Europe before the first national lockdown affected their momentum, O’Connell’s importance to the United cause is highlighted by the fact they will enter Wednesday’s game against Manchester United at the bottom of the rankings and searching for only their second win in the competition this term.

Wilder had hoped to recruit a replacement for O’Connell before the transfer window closes next month. But, with little progress seemingly being made, he is now preparing to complete the fixture schedule without someone capable of providing like-for-like cover in this specialist role.

“I really feel for Jack, because it's his whole thought process,” Wilder said. “It’s not just a living or a business to him, he bases his whole life around the game. He will have been working as hard as anyone to get back to where he needs to be.

"We’ve all seen what he’s been putting in and, the thing is with Jack, you know he’ll do whatever it takes to get back as soon as possible.”

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