Sheffield United will be without Sander Berge until after the November international break due to his troublesome hamstring injury.Â
Slavisa Jokanovic is readying the Blades to face Blackpool in the Championship this weekend but is preparing for another afternoon without Berge.
The 23-year-old has been limited to only six appearances in the Championship this season on the back of a summer of speculation linking him with a move away from Bramall Lane.
A hamstring injury is keeping him sidelined at the moment, with Andy Giddings issuing an update and confirming that Berge will be absent until after the November international break.
In the absence of Berge, John Fleck and Oliver Norwood have continued as Sheffield United's go-to midfield axis, with the support of Conor Hourihane.
Iliman Ndiaye, meanwhile, has played as a No.10 in Jokanovic's 4-2-3-1 system, allowing Morgan Gibbs-White and Ben Osborn to pull out wide.
Jokanovic's side have been inconsistent in the Championship but enter this weekend on the back of two wins from their last three fixtures.
They have beaten Stoke City and Barnsley either side of a late loss against Millwall having played the bulk of the second-half with 10-men.
The VerdictÂ
Berge is a quality player and there's no doubt that if he was available, he would make Sheffield United significantly stronger.
As it is, Jokanovic's side have battled on without him for a lot of the season and, despite his obvious talent, there's not really a reliance on him right now.
In Fleck and Norwood, they are offering the Blades a decent pivot in midfield, as Ndiaye thrives as the more advanced playmaker.
Quite where Berge fits into that when he's fit is unclear.
Thoughts? Let us know!Â