Double injury-blow for Sheffield United ahead of decisive Easter weekend

The Blades will be without top-scorer Billy Sharp and midfielder Chris Basham for both of their crucial fixtures this weekend. The Sheffield United duo picked up knocks in last Saturday’s draw against Milllwall. Central defender John Egan is also suspended.

Chris Wilder‘s side face Nottingham Forest at home on Good Friday, before travelling to Hull City only 72 hours later. Two wins is almost a necessity if they want to catch rivals Leeds United and shift the pressure back on Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

The pendulum swung back into the Whites’ favor last weekend after they eased past Sheffield Wednesday. This, after Millwall got a last-gasp equalizer at Brammal Lane.

With one eye on the play-offs, Chris Wilder seemed reluctant to rush either player back into action and confirmed that both players will miss out.

“We will continue to monitor and assess, short-term they are out, but we will see how they go from Monday onwards, with a view to Ipswich.”

However, the Blade’s boss still remained upbeat in Wednesday’s press conference: “We’ve got players, good players, ready to step in if needed. This is why we always maintained it was important to build a squad.”

Wilder also refused to rule anything out with regards to automatics. Even though his side lost ground on their Yorkshire rivals last weekend:

“The last time I looked it was only three points. One big win can change everything.”

For Leeds, this busy bank holiday weekend starts with a home game against relegation threatened Wigan Athletic. Before travelling to west London for a potential banana skin fixture away to Brentford.

The Whites’ 15-year absence from top-flight football could be over as soon as Monday. But only if they are able to pick up four or more points than their promotion rivals.