Sheffield United handed suspension blow v Preston North End after Wrexham decision

Sheffield United have been handed another availability headache for next week’s trip to Preston North End. The Blades were looking to continue their decent run of recent form at home to Wrexham this evening and went ahead in the first half through Ben Brereton Diaz.

But two key men also went into the game walking a disciplinary tightrope with Japhet Tanganga and Liam Kitching both on four bookings for the season so far. Picking up five before the 19th league game sparks an instant one-game ban.

Chris Wilder spoke in the week about hopefully warding off the possibility for a while yet but Kitching will miss the trip to Deepdale after being booked in the second half against the Red Dragons.

He was adjudged to have pulled down Wrexham striker Sam Smith after the two collided, with ref David Webb taking his time before giving into the away fans’ appeals for a foul and subsequently booking a bemused Kitching.

Mark McGuinness and Jamal Baptiste will now come into contention to replace him at Deepdale, with both featuring on the bench against Wrexham. Baptiste was a late addition to the substitutes, replacing Joe Rothwell shortly before kick-off.