Sheffield United team news emerges ahead of Bristol City second leg - it is a big boost for Chris Wilder | OneFootball

Sheffield United will go into Monday night's second leg clash against Bristol City with a 3-0 lead

Femi Seriki, Ben Brereton Diaz and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are all set to return to the Sheffield United squad ahead of the second leg of their semi-final clash with Bristol City.

The Blades will host Liam Manning’s side on Monday, with the team holding a comfortable 3-0 lead from their trip to Ashton Gate last Thursday.

Harrison Burrows converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to give Chris Wilder’s team a 1-0 lead after Rob Dickie's red card, before second-half strikes from Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare rounded out the scoring.

Sheffield United just need to avoid a three-goal defeat, and they will be one game away from a Premier League return.

Sheffield United injury boost

Wilder has confirmed that Seriki and Brereton Diaz will be available for selection on Monday night after missing the first leg.

He credited the sports science department for helping get the players ready in time, claiming everyone is working together as a team to win promotion for the club.

“We made a decision on Femi and Breo, on Thursday night, and we're delighted to say both will be involved on Monday,” said Wilder, via The Star.

“Credit to the sports science department, the conditioners and the doctors and everyone else who don’t get any recognition to give me the opportunity to pick from a clean bill of health.

“There's been a lot talked about this club over a number of years from a fitness point of view, we needed to get back to that because you need your best players available and in training.

“All those players we couldn't call upon last season and the experienced players were on the treatment table.

“We've got that feel now, we're all together and pushing to get into the team and respect when they're not in the side.”

Rak-Sakyi injury update

Wilder also provided an update on Rak-Sakyi, confirming that the winger will be available on Monday night as well after recovering from a hamstring issue.

"He's just had a little bit of a tight hamstring, so we've been careful,” he added.

“If there'd been a gamble to have, we'd have had a gamble.

“He was close to being involved on Thursday and he'll be involved on Monday.”

If Sheffield United retain their lead on Monday night, they will face either Sunderland or Coventry City at Wembley Stadium for a place in the Premier League next season.

Sheffield United injury boost comes with one eye on Wembley

Wilder will know the risks of playing someone recovering from injury at the start of a tie that’s 3-0 in their favour.

While having these guys back for Monday night is a positive sign for the semi-final, it’s clear that the real boost comes with one eye on the play-off final.

Sheffield United cannot underestimate Bristol City, who have nothing to lose now on Monday night, but it also might not be worth throwing these guys straight back into the starting lineup.

Giving them some minutes in the second half would make more sense, and give all three players a chance to further prove their fitness with a view to potentially starting the final, provided they hold onto their 3-0 lead.