Sheffield United: Next opponents receive a major pre-game boost

As Sheffield United face an anxious wait to discover if their in-form centre-forward Lys Mousset is available for selection against Blackpool, this weekend’s visitors to Bramall Lane expect midfielder Kenny Dougall to be passed fit despite limping-out of Saturday’s win over Preston North End.
James Shield
By James Shield
Published 26th Oct 2021, 15:15 BST
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Dougall, previously of Barnsley and Sparta Rotterdam, has featured in all but one his team’s Championship fixtures since August’s return to action; helping Neil Critchley’s side climb to 11th in the Championship table only a season after being promoted from League One.

A key figure in Blackpool’s starting eleven, losing Dougall would deal a major blow to their hopes of beating United.

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But Critchley expects the Australia international to recover in time for the trip to South Yorkshire, saying: “He just got a kick to his ankle. He’s got some ice on it in the dressing room but hopefully he’ll be fine.”

Barnsley, England, 24th October 2021. Lys Mousset of Sheffield Utd (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal with lliman Ndiaye of Sheffield Utd (L) and Oli McBurnie of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell, Barnsley: Andrew Yates / SportimageBarnsley, England, 24th October 2021. Lys Mousset of Sheffield Utd (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal with lliman Ndiaye of Sheffield Utd (L) and Oli McBurnie of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell, Barnsley: Andrew Yates / Sportimage
Barnsley, England, 24th October 2021. Lys Mousset of Sheffield Utd (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal with lliman Ndiaye of Sheffield Utd (L) and Oli McBurnie of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell, Barnsley: Andrew Yates / Sportimage

Blackpool will cross the Pennines full of confidence after beating their arch-rivals North End for the first time in over a decade. United are also preparing for the contest on the back of a victory having dispatched Dougall’s former club 3-2 at Oakwell; a result which lifted them to 14th.

Mousset, who scored two of their goals during that match, was assessed by medical staff before training yesterday after being substituted because of a calf problem. However, United manager Slavisa Jokanovic is hopeful he was withdrawn in time to avoid any serious damage.

"He had some problem,” Jokanovic said. “So that is why we took him off when we did, straight away.”

Related topics:Kenny DougallBlackpoolSlavisa JokanovicPreston North End