Sheffield United receive good news on the injury front

Enda Stevens celebrates his goal against Brighton and Hove Albion: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The person on the other end of the phone was Mick McCarthy, who was concerned the injury the wing-back suffered after scoring a breathtaking goal might threaten his involvement in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-offs against Bosnia and Herzegovina next month.

But Wilder was able to allay McCarthy’s fears that Stevens might miss those crucial games after receiving an update from United’s medical department, which had investigated the extent of the player’s calf problem when the decision was taken to withdraw him at half time.

“He was taken off more as a precaution that anything else,” McCarthy said last night, confirming United believe Stevens will be available for selection when they return to Premier League action. “Chris hopes to have Enda available to face Norwich (City) on Saturday week.”

Republic of Ireland's Mick McCarthy gestures on the touchline during a UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

With United forced to reschedule their meeting with Aston Villa when Dean Smith’s side reached Sunday’s EFL Cup final, Wilder’s squad must wait until March 7 before resuming their push for a top six finish having only gained promotion from the Championship last term.

Stevens has been an influential figure on both the domestic and international stages in recent months, embellishing his burgeoning reputation with a superb strike against Albion before Neal Maupay replied for Graham Potter’s side.

With United unlikely to include Stevens in the team which visits Reading in the FA Cup on Tuesday, McCarthy, who is also expected to select his team mates John Egan, David McGoldrick and Callum Robinson (on loan at West Brom) for the double-header with Bosnia, said: “If he gets back in time for that (Norwich) then he will have plenty of time for first team action before we meet up in Dublin on March 24.”