Chris Wilder Provides Key Injury Update As Sheffield United Hope to Avoid Unwanted Record Against QPR | OneFootball

Sheffield United return to Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon for their final fixture before the international break as they face Queens Park Rangers.

Chris Wilder’s side travel back home after a tough midweek outing against league leaders Coventry City, where the Blades’ spirited start wasn’t enough to prevent another defeat. Sam McCallum opened the scoring against his former club, tapping home from close range to give United a shock first-half lead. However, that momentum was quickly halted when goalkeeper Michael Cooper was forced off at half-time with a back and neck issue.

Substitute Adam Davies came on between the sticks but endured a difficult night, conceding moments after entering the pitch and struggling for the second goal before Coventry sealed the result late on. The 3-1 loss extended United’s winless run and left them 23rd in the table, with just nine points on the board this season.

Sheffield United Looking to Avoid Unwanted Record Against QPR

COVENTRY, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City scores his team’s third goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Sheffield United at The Coventry Building Society Arena on November 04, 2025 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Sheffield United have now suffered three consecutive defeats, and alarmingly, have shipped three goals in each of those matches.

This poor run of form began with a frustrating 3-2 loss away at Preston North End, where individual errors undid much of their positive attacking play. That was followed by a 3-1 defeat at Bramall Lane to Derby County, in which defensive lapses again cost them dearly.

United have lost their past three Championship games and conceded three goals in each defeat. They have never previously conceded three or more goals in four straight matches in the second tier (or lower), a record they will be desperate to avoid this weekend.

Chris Wilder Issues Michael Cooper Injury Update

COVENTRY, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Bobby Thomas of Coventry City scores his team’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Sheffield United at The Coventry Building Society Arena on November 04, 2025 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Wilder provided a worrying update on Cooper’s condition, revealing the keeper remains doubtful for Saturday’s clash.

“He’s doubtful,” Wilder admitted to SUTV. “Michael never came off with something innocuous, he came off because he couldn’t carry on. We’re doing everything we can to get him ready, but if he’s not, we’ll assess it over the international break.”

He added: “It’s not always an ideal situation [Davies coming on at half-time] to come on into a game like that, when you’ve got five minutes to warm up and get yourself ready, but that’s part and parcel of the job.”

Wilder Delighted By Oliver Arblaster’s Training Levels

The Blades boss also confirmed that Ben Godfrey, Tahith Chong, and Oliver Arblaster will all miss the match. There was initially a slim chance Gustavo Hamer could make the bench, but his full return is expected after the break. Wilder was, however, buoyed by Arblaster’s progress in training.

“Delighted to see [Arblaster] back training in the manner that he’s training. I think everybody’s given a huge boost. Gus will be back in training on Monday. We think with Chongy, it might be a week later.

“Oli will obviously want to play in that Sheffield Wednesday game, Gus wanted to play in the Coventry game. He’ll definitely be ready for the Sheffield Wednesday game. Big players back for us, big players that can have an effect on the team and delighted at the progression that they’re showing.”

Visitors Queens Park Rangers come into this one in a similar position, having lost their last three league games. Their 2-1 defeat at home to managerless Southampton on Tuesday night continued a poor run of form, but Julien Stephan’s side have proven much stronger away from Loftus Road this campaign, currently sitting seventh in the away form table.

The Hoops will be without Rhys Norrington-Davies, who is ineligible to face his parent club, while winger Kwame Poku remains a doubt after suffering a minor setback following his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Saturday’s game feels like a must-win for Sheffield United having lost three on the bounce. More importantly, they will not want to enter the upcoming Steel City derby at Hillsborough with a toxic atmosphere surrounding the football club.