Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder could be without several first-team players for this weekend’s clash with Norwich City.
Bramall Lane is the venue when the Blades host Daniel Farke’s side on Saturday afternoon and the Yorkshire Post is reporting that Wilder’s team has been hit with an illness bug.
Mark Duffy is one player who is a doubt for the weekend having struggled with the virus in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup defeat and was forced be withdrawn.
One or two other players who were not named have been struggling with the illness the Yorkshire Post is also reporting.
Wilder said: “Duffy is in a bit of a bad way. Afterwards, a couple more went down with a virus, and we will have to wait and see regarding him and a couple of others.
“Looking back, a couple struggled through (on Tuesday). I will have to speak to a couple because they played and maybe should not have.
"There is an honesty in terms of wanting to get out there and put a performance in and get in the team, but they maybe stepped over in terms of being sensible.
“A couple are off today, I am hoping it will quickly clear up and they train tomorrow with a view to being involved on Saturday.
“In one way, I am frustrated that they did not flag that up to me, but I look back philosophically and say to be fair I have got a group who all want to play; it is about being sensible with it.”
The Verdict
With a few players down because of illness, it will possibly give others the chance to make a mark on the Blades’ Championship season.
Impressing in the cup is one thing but making a case to be included in more league fixtures is another.
And it is what the weekend should be about for any potential inclusions.
Having said that, if the players who are off recovering regain the required level of fitness, then United will have a strong side to field against an impressive looking Norwich outfit.
Both teams are pretty even, and if either the unwell players or the deputising ones play, they will have a point to prove in what looks to be a fascinating fixture.