The 4 players set to miss Sheffield United v Birmingham City | OneFootball

FLW has looked at the players set to miss out on the season opener at Bramall Lane

The Championship season returns this weekend, and in one of the televised encounters, Sheffield United play host to Birmingham City at Bramall Lane at 5:30PM on Saturday afternoon.

Ironically, this exact fixture was played out at the same time in front of the Sky Sports cameras just five years ago, when Maxime Colin's powerful first-half header saw Birmingham shock the newly-relegated Blades in S2.

However, under Chris Wilder and Chris Davies this time around, both clubs will be hoping to lay down a marker after seasons littered with inconsistency in 2025/26.

United resurrected a dire start to last term under Ruben Selles with Wilder's reappointment, but in the end, laboured to a 13th-placed finish, and the sales of Gus Hamer and Andre Brooks, in particular, mean there isn't the greatest deal of optimism in this part of the Steel City at present.

Blues, meanwhile, finished 10th in their first season back in the second tier after winning League One, and will hope to bridge the gap between themselves and the expanded play-offs this season after an intriguing summer transfer window of their own.

A close game could certainly be in the offing, but at Football League World, we have looked at the players Wilder and Davies may not be able to call upon for the curtain-raiser.

2 ? ? Sheffield United

Femi Seriki

Action Images

There are potential question marks over whether Blades full-back, Femi Seriki, will be available to Wilder for the clash against Birmingham, with the impressive full-back going off injured during the 3-0 win over Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup on Sunday.

The 24-year-old produced six assists last season in the Championship, so it would be yet another blow in a pre-season of chaos at Bramall Lane for his services to be unavailable after sustaining a muscle injury at Field Mill and being replaced by Matt Doherty six minutes from time.

However, one bonus for United fans is that his colleague and former Blues man, Tahith Chong, isn't said to have been hampered by his own substitution due to muscle discomfort just before the half-hour mark.

1 ? ? Birmingham City

Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Action Images

One of two players who are certain to miss this fixture for Birmingham is versatile midfielder, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, who spent last season away from St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park with Blackburn Rovers.

After returning to the West Midlands, the 24-year-old was heavily involved in the opening weeks of the club's pre-season programme, before suffering an injury in the 1-0 win over Burton Albion on July 22nd.

Although full details of the issue have not been revealed as of yet, Davies stated ahead of last week's EFL Cup victory over Swansea City: “TGH is a little bit longer. He will be (out for) months, not weeks.”

Gardner-Hickman made 32 appearances on loan at Ewood Park, but hasn't featured competitively for Blues in just short of 12 months.

Marc Leonard

Action Images

Marc Leonard's future has long been up for debate, and was even linked with a switch to the Blades in January before spending the second half of last season with SPFL title contenders, Hearts.

The Scot, after seeing his gametime with Blues further diminish, proved to be an instant hit at Tynecastle, producing one goal and three assists in just 10 regular-season games, before rupturing his achilles against Motherwell in the final week of the campaign.

Leonard, 24, was on course for a permanent exit from St. Andrew's beforehand, but will now have to wait until at least January to assess his options after recovering.

Marvin Ducksch

Action Images

It also remains to be seen if German striker, Marvin Ducksch, plays any part on the opening day after suffering an injury issue last month and missing the entirety of pre-season as a result.

The 32-year-old's future at St. Andrew's has also been up for discussion, after it was claimed last month that he desires to take up a key role at a new club whilst also being an integral figure in a playing capacity.

Beforehand, the revelation of a non-promotion clause from last season has also led to intense links between Ducksch and Bundesliga clubs, a year after moving from Werder Bremen for £1.75m.

He ended last season as Birmingham's joint-top scorer with 11 goals alongside Jay Stansfield.