Sheffield United: Defender set to miss Shrimpers test

Alex Baptiste will miss tomorrow's game against Southend, Nigel Adkins has confirmed.
Nigel Adkins hoped Alex Baptiste (above) would return against Southend 
©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedNigel Adkins hoped Alex Baptiste (above) would return against Southend 
©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Nigel Adkins hoped Alex Baptiste (above) would return against Southend ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

The Sheffield United manager had hoped that Baptiste, on loan from Middlesbrough, would return to action at Roots Hall after damaging a hamstring but now accepts that Saturday’s meeting with Walsall is a more realistic target.

“Alex has done some good running,” Adkins said. “He won’t be involved here, it’s a little too early, but he should be okay for the weekend. Alex should have hit the targets we are looking for by then.”

Florent Cuvelier (centre) is also nursing a hamstring problem ©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedFlorent Cuvelier (centre) is also nursing a hamstring problem ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Florent Cuvelier (centre) is also nursing a hamstring problem ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

With fellow centre-half David Edgar away on international duty with Canada, Baptiste’s absence means Harrison McGahey is set to make his second consecutive start after facing Crewe Alexandra on Good Friday. Midfielder Florent Cuvelier (hamstring) is also unavailable for the visit to Essex.