Sheffield United’s Patrick Bamford fitness hope v Preston North End as late injury blow v Wrexham explained
Sheffield United’s Patrick Bamford fitness hope v Preston North End as late injury blow v Wrexham explained
Sheffield United hope to have Patrick Bamford back for Tuesday’s trip to Preston North End after the striker missed yesterday’s win over Wrexham. Bamford took a whack to his shoulder scoring the equaliser against Derby County last weekend.
In his pre-match press conference earlier this week Chris Wilder suggested the former England international would be fit to face Wrexham but he was absent from the teamsheet before kick-off.
Wilder later revealed that Bamford failed a pre-match fitness test but the hope is that he will be available for Deepdale on Tuesday. “It was a big bang that he took,” Wilder said.
“For Pat to come off the pitch on Saturday, was a sign that it wasn't a straightforward thing. Especially with the opportunities that we were creating and did create in the second half.
“And with him being a goalscorer, there was clearly an issue there. But he just didn't feel comfortable.
“And would have been up against three centre-halves as well. It is a physical game, however you play. We didn't take the risk and he failed the late fitness test.
“So hopefully we will have him back for Tuesday. There’s a chance for Tuesday.”
United have already lost Ryan One for a few weeks with a hamstring injury recurrence and Wilder was forced to turn to a makeshift attack of Jordan Ayew and Ben Brereton Diaz against Wrexham, with the Southampton loanee justifying the call with the winner.
There was another injury blow just before the game when Joe Rothwell dropped off the bench and was replaced by Jamal Baptiste, who will battle with Mark McGuinness for a start at Preston after Liam Kitching picked up his fifth booking of the campaign.
“Joe just tweaked his groin in the warm-up,” Wilder said. “So we made a late change to the bench.”