Sheffield United defenders Enda Stevens and Ciaran Clark are close to returning to full fitness, according to manager Paul Heckingbottom.

The pair have both been sidelined for a couple of months with muscular injuries and, while the Blades are being cautious about their recoveries, Heckingbottom says they will be back in full training soon:

“They are in the final stages of rehab and are out on the grass daily now, building up to the point where we will be dropping them back into our work. With the length of time they have had out and the nature of their injuries, which were muscle related, and they have had setbacks, we will bring them into the fold in terms of first team exposure a bit slower.”

Stevens has not played since the opening game of the season against Watford, while Clark was last in action versus West Brom in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

United have coped pretty well without the two players, with Heckingbottom’s side currently third in the table after fourteen games, but it will be a big boost to have both of them available for selection again.

Between them, Stevens and Clark have a lot of experience, and their defensive know-how could prove invaluable in upcoming fixtures, especially as the team has conceded six goals in their last two matches.