Sheffield United: Blades receive Wigan boost

Manager Nigel Adkins, whose side enter the game two points off the League One play-off pace, made the announcement at the Steelphalt Academy earlier today after revealing defender Bob Harris is available for selection following injury.

“Bob has had a couple of games, for the under-21’s, which is very beneficial,” Adkins said. “The lads are looking fit and sharp. They’ve trained ever so well and now we have to show that on game day.”

Leading goalscorer Billy Sharp and Matt Done, who were both on target during last month’s 3-3 draw at the DW Stadium, are set to feature after receiving treatment for foot and hamstring complaints respectively. Midfielder Chris Basham, who missed the visit to Blackpool nine days ago due to a muscle problem, has also trained this week.

“Everyone is fit, there’s only Kieran Wallace who won’t be considered for the weekend,” Adkins continued. “He’s had a little bit of a hamstring problem but he’ll be okay for Monday.”

United, placed ninth, clawed themselves back from 3-0 down to claim a share of the spoils during their recent meeting with Gary Caldwell’s team with Done (2) and Sharp pouncing during 21 explosive second-half minutes.

Adkins, who urged his team to start the contest “on the front foot”, acknowledged: “We’ve had to adapt the way we play and it might be that we adapt it even more so we can turn some of those draws into victories. Likewise, on a few occasions earlier in the year, if we’d taken the draw rather than driving forward for the win then we might be in a better position now. So it’s all about the mindset. We have to resolve that to try and push on to the next level.”

“We are hurting being in League One,” Adkins added. “So are Wigan who, just a couple of years ago, were in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup. If you look at the parachute payment they’ve got to help finance the football club, they’ve put themselves in a strong position. We are in a strong position too.”