Sheffield United’s weary players will be asked to go again tomorrow evening for their third game in the space of six days. Fellow promotion chasers Sunderland are in town for a mouthwatering clash unsurprisingly picked up by the Sky TV cameras for live broadcast.
But that has sparked concern at both clubs about the fixture congestion at a key time of the season, with the Blades’ already-thin squad stretched further by the absences of Anel Ahmedhodzic (suspension) and Oliver Arblaster (injury). Kieffer Moore is also out while Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris is unlikely to risk left-back Dennis Cirkin after his recent wrist surgery.
Blades boss Chris Wilder shuffled his pack somewhat in midweek against Oxford United with a couple of his youngsters giving him welcome food for thought ahead of a huge clash at the top of the Championship table. We tasked our man with picking the side he’d send out against Le Bris’ men - has he got it just about right or would you do anything differently?
9. Callum O'Hare 5
Showed a few nice touches in his 45-minute cameo but struggled to link up with Campbell a little from the No.10 role and made way at half-time, sacrificed for Seriki as United responded to Souttar's red card | Getty Images
10. Gus Hamer 8
United's biggest threat in the first half with two blocked shots and a wicked right-wing cross that somehow evaded all teammates in the middle. Sent Campbell free for the Mepham incident and constantly tormented the Sunderland backline throughout | Sportimage
11. Tyrese Campbell 6
Was growing more and more frustrated with his evening as Mepham controlled him almost literally with a series of push, pulls and clever fouls. But when the big Blades chance came and Hamer sent Campbell free he was a bit too quick for the Welsh international, who fouled him and deservedly saw red. Made way for One later on | Getty Images
12. Notable subs: Femi Seriki 7
Came on for O'Hare at the break and drove United forward from right-back once more, forcing a good save from Patterson with his legs | Sportimage