Sheffield United face another dilemma at centre-half

If both players are passed fit following spells on the treatment table, Ampadu is likely to replace Kean Bryan at centre-half while Stevens will step in for Max Lowe at wing-back.

Wilder, who revealed Lys Mousset also returned to training this week after missing last weekend’s defeat by Leicester City with an ankle complaint, has been struggling to identify a replacement for Jack O’Connell after the Liverpudlian was forced to undergo surgery earlier this term.

Having made a direct replacement for O’Connell his number one priority during next month’s transfer window, Wilder said: “Things have been disrupted in that left centre-half spot. What we do, we’ll take a look at the players and then go from there. We have an idea but a lot depends on what happens.”

United travel to St Mary’s at the bottom of the Premier League table after losing 10 of their first 11 outings this term. Ben Osborn staked a strong claim to start the match at St Mary’s after impressing during the second-half of the meeting with City, when he replaced Lowe after the break.

"We need people to come in and show what they can do,” Wilder said. “We’re still fighting but we know we can’t keep saying the same things. We need to start getting points on the board.”

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