The 7 players set to miss Birmingham City v Sheffield United on Saturday ft 4-goal ace | OneFootball

Birmingham City are set to face Sheffield United in a crunch clash in the race for the play-offs, but which players are absent for this match?

Birmingham City will be looking to keep the pressure on the teams chasing a play-off spot this weekend, as they prepare to host Sheffield United at St Andrew's.

The Blues head into this game off the back of a narrow 1-0 win over QPR in midweek, which means that Chris Davies' side are now tenth in the Championship table with just nine matches remaining in this year's league campaign.

That win over the Hoops ended a three-game losing streak for the Blues, and their supporters will be hoping they can put together a positive run of results at the earliest of opportunities, as they're five points adrift of the play-off positions at this moment in time.

Davies will be well-aware of the threat that is ahead of them this weekend, as Sheffield United have shown vast improvement since their struggles early into the 2025/26 season.

There could be some notable names set to miss the clash at St Andrew's though, so we'll take you through the absentees for this hugely important clash for both teams, who will have ambitions of a late charge for the top six.

Kai Wagner

Wagner has made 11 league appearances for Birmingham this season, but the 29-year-old isn't expected to be fit for this game due to a knock.

Birmingham boss, Chris Davies issued an update on Wagner's fitness, and it wasn't good news ahead of the clash with Sheffield United at St Andrew's this weekend.

"Kai Wagner won't be with us until after the international break."

Alex Cochrane

Cochrane hasn't featured for Birmingham since New Year's Day due to an ankle problem, and isn't expected to return to the squad ahead of the game with the Blades on Saturday afternoon.

The left-back played a key role in the Blues' promotion from League One, and Chris Davies will be eager to see him return to the team at the earliest of opportunities, as Birmingham target a top-six finish.

Gustavo Hamer

Hamer's absence is often felt in the Sheffield United team, and the midfielder won't be available for selection once again this weekend, as he serves the final game of his two-match suspension.

The midfielder also missed the defeat to Norwich in midweek, and Chris Wilder will hope that the four-goal midfielder can steer clear of further disciplinary issues from now until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Michael Cooper

The Sheffield United shot-stopper won't play any further part in the 2025/26 season, with Chris Wilder revealing that Cooper has suffered a "unique" injury.

Jamie Shackleton

Shackleton's time with Sheffield United has been hampered with injury problems, with his latest one coming back in January. Wilder labelled the midfielder's latest setback "disappointing" for the former Leeds man.

“It’s a little bit of a setback, from Shacks’ point of view. He's had a real difficult time at the football club and it’s disappointing for him as well.”

Shackleton has only featured in 21 minutes of action this term for the Blades, and isn't expected to return anytime soon for them.

Tom Davies

Davies has been restricted to just eight appearances in all competitions for Sheffield United this season, and hasn't featured in the matchday squad since late January.

It remains to be seen as to when he'll return to the squad from his latest injury problem, but his experience could come in useful in the final few games of the 2025/26 season, so Wilder will be keen to see him return soon.

Sam McCallum

The Sheffield United left-back suffered a serious ankle injury in a 1-1 draw with Millwall in January, with Chris Wilder revealing that the injury is likely to be season-ending.

McCallum signed for the Blades in the summer of 2024, and made 21 appearances in all competitions before the injury, and he won't feature this weekend against Birmingham City.