Sheffield United hope for fitness boost ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash

Sheffield United hope Oli McBurnie will be declared available for selection when Tottenham Hotspur visit Bramall Lane on Sunday, with several other players receiving treatment for injuries also making progress in their respective fitness battles.
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McBurnie has missed United’s last four games after aggravating a shoulder complaint, but is understood to have been close to featurning in the squad for Tuesday’s victory over Newcastle.

Although Chris Wilder is unlikely to make significant changes - or indeed any at all - to the starting eleven which laid the platform for United’s first Premier League win of the season against Jose Mourinho’s side, McBurnie’s return would be a major boost for a manager who has been forced to name an understrength bench ever since the Scotland international was ruled-out of action ahead of December 29th’s trip to Burnley. United selected only seven substitutes for the clash with Newcastle, including match-winner Billy Sharp and Phil Jagielka who have only just recovered from Covid-19.

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Despite deploying both, Wilder has admitted he is reluctant to place too heavy a workload on either until medical staff ascertain whether they are suffering from any lingering after effects.

United are also hopeful that wing-backs Enda Stevens and George Baldock will shortly receive the all-clear to resume full time training. Ben Osborn and Jayden Bogle have impressed in the duo’s absence, but having Stevens and Baldock at his disposal will, at the very least, provide Wilder with greater tactical flexibility during games. Osborn can also operate in midfield, where United’s options have been depleted by Sander Berge’s hamstring complaint.

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