Sheffield United: Doubts over defender's workload complicate plans for Burnley
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Robinson completed his first 90 minutes of football since May at Ashton Gate, only a week after recovering from the fitness issue which forced him to miss all but one of United’s outings in the Championship so far this term.
With Rhys Norrington-Davies, Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe among a host of players currently unavailable for selection, the return of Robinson, Enda Stevens and Ciaran Clark has eased some of the pressure on a defence which has borne the brunt of the fitness crisis engulfing Bramall Lane.
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Hide AdRhian Brewster and Sander Berge are also set to be out of action for the foreseeable future, together with Daniel Jebbison.
Although Heckingbottom expressed his belief that Basham and Tommy Doyle, who sat out the trip to City because of a sore calf muscle, will face Burnley, he told The Star: “It was great for Robbo to get the full 90 minutes under his belt. But he might be more of a doubt than Bash because of it. We’ll have to see how he reacts.”
Anel Ahmedhodzic is set to be immediately recalled following suspension when leaders Burnley cross the Pennines, boosting United’s hopes of taking a huge step towards regaining pole position in the race for automatic promotion. But the concerns about the workload being placed on Robinson’s shoulders, together with the doubts about Basham’s availability, make it difficult for Heckingbottom’s team to stress test the defensive strategies Heckingbottom has prepared for the contest. Oli McBurnie, United’s second highest goalscorer this term, is being coaxed through a hernia problem while United’s coaching staff conceded John Fleck is still not in peak physical condition following a broken leg.
“There’s a few situations we are having to manage,” said Heckingbottom, who has denied United’s casualty count is a result of their training regime. “Obviously, it’s not ideal but you have to deal with this, and it’s why we have the group.”