Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says that West Brom can still win the Championship play-offs this season, even though striker Dwight Gayle will miss the remainder of the campaign through suspension.

The striker has had an outstanding season for the Baggies, scoring 24 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions, but was sent off in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Gayle fired West Brom ahead in the 16th minute at Villa Park, before the home side scored two goals in four second-half minutes to turn the game on its head.

Villa equalised with a superb 25-yard strike for Conor Hourihane, before Tammy Abraham put them ahead from the penalty spot just four minutes later, moments after Jack Grealish had been fouled in the area.

Things then went from bad to worse for visitors, when Gayle was shown a second yellow card for sliding in late on Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer, meaning he will miss the second leg of the semi-final at the Hawthorns on Tuesday evening and the final at Wembley, should West Brom get there.

Sheffield United boss Wilder admitted that losing Gayle is a massive blow for the Baggies, but was quick to remind people that the semi-final is far from over.

“That’s a huge blow for West Brom," Wilder said on Goals on Sunday, which was broadcast at 11am on Sky Sports on Sunday morning.

“I can, they’ve got a lot of talent at the club and it’s still a local derby. With the atmosphere at the Hawthorns, it will be electric. That games’s far from done."

Wilder has already won promotion from the Championship this season, after he guided Sheffield United to a top-two finish.

The Verdict:

Gayle has had an outstanding season for West Brom in the Championship since joining on a season-long loan from Newcastle and showed his quality with his emphatic finish for the opening goal at Villa Park at the weekend.

He will be a massive loss for the second leg of the semi-final and potentially the final and it is very difficult to see West Brom progressing now.

Wilder is right though, it should be a brilliant atmosphere at the Hawthorns on Tuesday and West Brom will still feel they have a chance of making it to Wembley.