Sheffield United suffered defeat last weekend, as they fell 3-2 to a ruthless Millwall outfit – against fellow promotion contenders Watford, the Blades will have a chance to right some wrongs.
United’s only confirmed absentee so far is Jack O’Connell, who has been out for nearly two and a half years with a major knee injury. Aside from this, the Blades have no new injury concerns, though there are a number of doubts.
Ciaran Clark, John Fleck, Ismaila Coulibaly, Will Osula and Billy Sharp could all miss out on the Watford game. Clark, Fleck and Coulibaly all played midweek for United’s U21s, but it’s unclear if they’ll be available for the senior team on Saturday.
Sharp is recovering from an injured ankle, while Osula has a broken jaw. Neither player made the squad against Millwall and it’s likely they won’t play against Watford, either.
On Sharp’s chances of playing, Heckingbottom said: “He won’t be long, we’re not looking at a considerable period of time. He’s not going to be out for ages. That’s not what we’re looking at… We’ll be working hard with Billy. He’ll be working hard.”
Sheffield United currently sit in second place in the Championship table, with the team in third, Middlesbrough, just four points behind them. This being said, the Blades have a game in hand over Boro.
United’s last game was something of a disaster, as they fell to defeat against Millwall (as mentioned previously). Despite goals from Tommy Doyle and James McAtee, a Tom Bradshaw hattrick ultimately sunk the red half of Sheffield.
Watford, meanwhile, were victorious in their last game as they defeated West Brom in a five-goal thriller. A Ken Sema brace, alongside a second half goal from Ismailia Sarr was enough to give the Hornets the three points.