Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is facing a dilemma of sorts over midfielder Oliver Norwood.

The Northern Ireland midfielder, who has been influential in the middle of the park for the Blades this term, picked up a booking in the win over Reading yesterday to put him one away from an automatic suspension.

However, with West Brom away next week in what is a crucial fixture for United, followed by the crunch local derby with Sheffield Wednesday, Wilder knows he will have a decision to make, despite insisting to the Sheffield Star that Norwood simply needs to 'get on with it'.

"We spoke at half-time about bringing him off but he's got to be sensible with his challenges. He can do that." added Wilder.

Norwood has been a revelation since arriving at Bramall Lane in the summer and has become a mainstay in the middle of the park, responsible for creating plenty of United's best attacking moves this season.

He has won promotion on two successive occasions, however, with games against Leeds, Bristol City and Wednesday coming up, it's looking inevitable that the Blades midfielder will indeed miss at least one crucial fixture in what is sure to be an exciting run to the end of the season.

The Verdict

Unfortunately for United, this is just part and parcel of football for a Championship midfielder.

Norwood has been class for the Blades and he will be a loss, but as yesterday showed, United do now have strength in depth.

He'll be missed, but the likes of Coutts and Dowell are more than capable of performing on the day.