Chris Wilder confirms Sheffield United injury boost ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash
Sheffield United will be boosted by the return of one key player for Sunday’s derby against Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has confirmed midfielder Jaïro Riedewald is back in contention for Sunday’s Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane.
The Dutchman, who joined the Blades as a free agent back in October, has missed each of the last seven matches because of a hamstring injury he suffered in training ahead of last month’s 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Prior to his recent spell on the sidelines, Riedewald had established himself as a regular fixture in United’s midfield, making 12 Championship starts since joining the club, chipping in with one goal.
With Wilder offering a suggestion he could return in time for the visit of the Owls ahead of last weekend’s trip to Portsmouth, the Blades boss has now confirmed he will be available for Sunday’s all-Sheffield showdown, meaning he will be able to call upon all but four first-team players.
Wilder issues pre-Owls team news update
Issuing an update on the team news at his pre-match press call on Friday morning, Wilder said: “Jairo's back. The only players that are unavailable are Jamie Shackleton, Tom Davies, Sam McCallum and Joe Rothwell.
“So off the back of that, everybody else is available."
Shackleton, who has experienced a torrid time with injuries since joining the Blades in July 2024 after turning down the offer of a new contract at Leeds United, was recently left out of United’s 25-man squad for the remainder of the season.
McCallum faces up to ten weeks out after suffering an ankle injury against Millwall last month and Davies is continuing to struggle with an injury of his own.
Rothwell will sit out the second game of his three-match ban after being sent-off on his debut against Middlesbrough just over a week ago.