Key Injury Update Emerges For Sheffield United Ahead of Trip to Hillsborough | OneFootball

It’s officially that dreaded week again in the campaign, the build-up to the Steel City derby. On Sunday afternoon, Sheffield United make the short trip across the city to Hillsborough to face a Sheffield Wednesday side rooted to the bottom of the table, sitting on negative four points after their 12-point deduction earlier in the season.

Yet, remarkably, the Blades aren’t faring much better. United find themselves in 22nd place, three points adrift of safety, an almost unthinkable scenario at this stage of the campaign for a team that was just 15 minutes away from a Premier League return only a few months ago. The dramatic collapse against Sunderland in the 2024/25 Championship play-off final has clearly left scars, and the hangover has bled into this season.

We now emerge from the international break, one that Chris Wilder and his squad were probably desperate for. United had collected just one point from their previous four matches, and the performances were becoming increasingly disjointed.

Sheffield United Injury Update Ahead of Steel City Derby

DUBLIN, IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 06: Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland tries to get past Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at on September 06, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The pause in league action has at least offered some positives. Key midfielders Gustavo Hamer and Oliver Arblaster were given valuable time to edge closer to full match fitness, and Wilder, along with his coaching staff, will have welcomed the opportunity to work on tactical and structural adjustments that the team urgently needs.

However, the break hasn’t come without its setbacks. As reported by The Star, wing-back Chiedozie Ogbene was withdrawn during Ireland’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Hungary on Sunday with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Early indications suggest the issue could sideline him for several months depending on the severity, which will be a major blow for United given his energy and experience  down the right flank.

Can the Blades Kick-start Their Season Against Sheffield Wednesday?

The Blades went into the international break without a win in four games, though they at least halted a three-match losing streak with a gritty 0-0 draw against QPR. Even so, they remain 22nd in the Championship, three points behind Oxford United and in desperate need of a spark.

That spark could come this week. A victory at Hillsborough could be the catalyst Sheffield United need to finally kick-start their campaign.

Across his previous spells as the Blades boss, Wilder has never tasted defeat managing his boyhood club in the Steel City derby, with a record consisting of three wins, three draws and five clean sheets.