Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder will have wished the international break never came.

Before the players had a fortnight off, or at least those not in their international squad, Sheffield United hammered Aston Villa 4-1. They had momentum behind them, the wind beneath their sails and they looked on form.

They've spent two weeks sat on their hands and have now played 180 minutes of football without a goal, much of that time spent not even looking like scoring.

This week they drew 0-0 with Birmingham City, a game which they were perhaps fortunate to take anything from at all.

Chris Wilder needs to find the right blend to get back to winning ways, and what better chance than against a struggling Preston side, soundly beaten 3-0 in midweek.

He'll need to make a couple of changes though, so here is our suggested starting XI for the Blades boss.

Henderson is a top quality keeper and he's been in great form too.

He's one for the future and Bramall Lane is only a temporary home, but whilst he's there, he plays.

O'Connell has formed part of a stable defence which certainly hasn't been to blame for the dip in form.

There's no chance he'll be dropped after his recent form.

He was a summer arrival from Brentford and he's settled in to life at Bramall Lane nicely.

He's such an assured and calm defender and he'll be an asset all season long.

He might be the elder statesman of the back three, but he's playing well and there's no reason to change that.

He's part of the furniture now, but his time will surely be coming to an end in the Championship soon.

The former MK Dons defender has only broken through this season and he'll more than likely keep his place.

There's a question mark over his longevity in a side chasing a Premier League place, but against Preston North End he should be adequate.

Stevens was dropped for new signing Marvin Johnson against Birmingham, but we're backing him for a return to the side.

They lacked something at home against the Blues and they need to find it again. Stevens played against Aston Villa and that is the result they want to replicate.

Fleck seems to be a staple of the Blades midfield and despite the recent form, he's not to be held accountable.

He's a steady presence in the middle of the park and offers hard work throughout the 90 minutes.

One bad game, that is all he had.

Norwood came under fire in midweek for his performance, but on the whole he's been excellent for the Blades.

We can't see him being dropped.

Duffy should keep his place behind the front two, after all he played there against Villa and looked superb.

He does need to get forward and help the strikers, especially as the Blades current forwards are all a little shot-shy.

Sharp didn't start against Birmingham, but we're expecting him back in the line up this week.

Something didn't work against the Blues, with Conor Washington and Leon Clarke the pairing.

Sharp might not be getting any younger, but he's a Blades legend and he's always got a goal in him.

We're backing McGoldrick to get himself back into the side this week.

Neither Clarke nor Washington covered themselves in glory, yet McGoldrick did play when Villa were soundly beaten.

Go back to what worked before Chris Wilder.