Sheffield United will look to spoil Paul Heckingbottom’s Bramall Lane return this weekend when they take on their former manager’s Preston North End side. Heckingbottom led United to promotion to the Premier League during his time in his native South Yorkshire but was sacked midway through last season, with Chris Wilder returning to replace him.
The Blades are second in the table with 11 games to go and they face another big period of three games in the space of eight days, culminating with a derby clash against rivals Wednesday. In the meantime, though, United face North End and then Bristol City, with Wilder facing the temptation to shuffle his pack and rotate a few players.
With that in mind we selected the side we think Wilder may send out to face Preston - do you think it’s just about right, or would you do anything differently?
5. Harrison Burrows
He's a much better player going forward than he is defensively and was exposed a few times at QPR, giving away a penalty after turning his back while defending a cross. But he's worth his place based on what he offers United in an attacking sense | Sportimage
6. Vini Souza
In the same boat as Ahmedhodzic after collecting eight bookings to date but United are much better with him in the side. He looked to be struggling in the latter stages at QPR but Wilder shrugged that off afterwards, suggesting it was because Souza had given the ball away a few times! Photo: Getty Images
7. Sydie Peck
Has real competition for his place now with Choudhury in the building and Shackleton closing in on a return but he was again good at Loftus Road and offers a bit more going forward than his more defensive-minded colleague | Dan Istitene/Getty Images Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
8. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
On the bench at Loftus Road but his return to the right flank allows Brereton Diaz to get back to the left. He's growing by the game and offers a goal threat, too | Sportimage