Sheffield United injury state of play v Preston North End after updates on Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and teammate pair
Sheffield United are sweating on the fitness of Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Joe Rothwell and Adam Davies as Chris Wilder’s side look to maintain their recent momentum against Preston North End tomorrow...
Sheffield United are keeping their fingers crossed over four players ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Preston North End, as they look to keep their recent positive momentum going. The Blades beat Wrexham on Friday night and have taken 10 points from their last five games.
Two points a game is generally considered promotion form and United travel to Deepdale tomorrow three points off West Ham United in eighth place.
But they have concerns over a quartet of players ahead of the meeting with the league’s bottom side, who have won just once all season and are already six points adrift of safety after a torrid start.
Kalvin Phillips rolled an ankle against Wrexham but played on after getting it strapped up, and Joe Rothwell dropped off the bench after tweaking a groin in the warm-up.
Patrick Bamford and Adam Davies both missed the game completely with shoulder and back issues respectively, with boss Chris Wilder hopeful all four could return for the meeting with Graham Alexander’s side.
“Kalvin’s a tough boy and we've got to have tough boys, mentally and physically as well,” Wilder said. “He came through the game but there was a bit of swelling.
“So, that's calmed down. He didn't train yesterday, but did some work in the gym. So, fingers crossed that he'll be available for Tuesday. Pat has obviously got a little bit of an issue with his shoulder.
“He's been working outside the last couple of days. So, we'll see how he rocks up this morning and a late decision on him will be made.
“Joe just had a little tweak in his groin and precautionary that he pulled out of the squad late on and we made that change. So, if Joe misses or Pat misses, we've got players that can step through as well.
“Jairo [Riedewald] has trained really well, so he's been a bit unfortunate. He's a super pro and he's not even been in a couple of the squads really, but he's been working hard.
“So that opportunity could open up for Jairo, if Joe's unavailable. I think there's been a lot of talk over the weekend regarding Jordan [Ayew]'s performance as well, which I thought was outstanding for a 35-year-old.
“I'm not one of those that looks at numbers age-wise. I just look at how he is physically, mentally, how he trains, how he plays, what his attitude towards the game was, and what his performance levels have been like in training when he's been on the pitch.
“I thought he was really good at Bristol City and I thought he was outstanding for us on Friday night.”
United, who will miss Liam Kitching at Deepdale as he serves a one-match ban, have been without Welsh international goalkeeper Davies for the last couple of games, with 16-year-old Tommy Betts on the bench in his place.
“Yeah, he had an injection over the weekend,” Wilder added. “He just had a slight back issue. Obviously, for goalkeepers, you can't move and bend and dive.
“And do all the things that a goalkeeper needs to do. He wasn't fit enough for the bench over the weekend, but hopefully he'll be okay for Tuesday night.”