Sheffield United's injured XI described as "top end Championship team" as star men near returns

Max Lowe has joined first-team stars including John Fleck and Billy Sharp in the treatment room at Bramall Lane, after damaging a hamstring at Hull City on Sunday.

Essentially a full XI missed that game through injury, with every specialist left centre-half at Heckingbottom’s disposal, and three players capable of playing at left wing-back, now ruled out.

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“In terms of the squad and what we have, we’re happy,” Heckingbottom said, when asked how early he starts to look at the January transfer window following the closure of the summer one.

“So it's a case of looking at the season and what happens to us, touch wood, with injuries and suspensions. But with the amount we've got out, between now and January I'm hoping we just get stronger week on week as we have players returning.

“If I put an 11 down of the boys in the gym now, it'd be a top end Championship team. I'm looking forward to getting them back.”

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Defender Ciaran Clark is expected to be the first United defender to return to action, with Enda Stevens “still going to be a while” in Heckingbottom’s words. Sharp and Ben Osborn are back in training following ankle injuries while Jayden Bogle is progressing well after going under the knife to correct a knee issue last season.

Striker Daniel Jebbison missed Sunday’s trip to Hull with illness, and could return to the squad to face the Millers.

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