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Wanderers are hoping for good news on striker Chris Long before their trip to Sheffield United.
The on-loan Burnley striker has complained of pain in his hamstrings since announcing himself on the Macron with a stunning goal against Walsall.
Long has since had two scans which have shown up no significant problems but Wanderers’ medical staff want to rule out any issues with nerve damage in his back before giving him the green-light to play again.
Jay Spearing will serve out the last game of his suspension tomorrow and full-back Andy Taylor is regarded as a major doubt despite returning to light training duties this week.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is not under-estimating the threat Wanderers pose, however, claiming the quality of their squad has “gone under the radar” because of the boardroom problems experienced at the Macron.
“A lot of things off the pitch has deflected from what they have going for them on the pitch,” said the former Northampton Town boss, who had featured highly on Ken Anderson’s shortlist last summer.
“They have support, staff, facilities, and more importantly a set of players, 24 really top class players. Look at where they have got them from, they have not really took them out of the youth team - I don’t see a lot of youth team players promoted - they have got a senior group who have played the majority of their football in the Premier League and the Championship.
“That’s the challenge we have to overcome. What happens on the pitch doesn’t really affect the players on the pitch. Their preparation will be just the same, pre-match meals and overnight stops. They won’t all of a sudden turn up in mini-buses, they will have same preparation they are used to. This is the biggest test of the season for us and one we are really looking forward to.”
Wilder also confirmed that on-loan Manchester United defender Joe Riley has dislocated his shoulder in training.
Source
The on-loan Burnley striker has complained of pain in his hamstrings since announcing himself on the Macron with a stunning goal against Walsall.
Long has since had two scans which have shown up no significant problems but Wanderers’ medical staff want to rule out any issues with nerve damage in his back before giving him the green-light to play again.
Jay Spearing will serve out the last game of his suspension tomorrow and full-back Andy Taylor is regarded as a major doubt despite returning to light training duties this week.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is not under-estimating the threat Wanderers pose, however, claiming the quality of their squad has “gone under the radar” because of the boardroom problems experienced at the Macron.
“A lot of things off the pitch has deflected from what they have going for them on the pitch,” said the former Northampton Town boss, who had featured highly on Ken Anderson’s shortlist last summer.
“They have support, staff, facilities, and more importantly a set of players, 24 really top class players. Look at where they have got them from, they have not really took them out of the youth team - I don’t see a lot of youth team players promoted - they have got a senior group who have played the majority of their football in the Premier League and the Championship.
“That’s the challenge we have to overcome. What happens on the pitch doesn’t really affect the players on the pitch. Their preparation will be just the same, pre-match meals and overnight stops. They won’t all of a sudden turn up in mini-buses, they will have same preparation they are used to. This is the biggest test of the season for us and one we are really looking forward to.”
Wilder also confirmed that on-loan Manchester United defender Joe Riley has dislocated his shoulder in training.
Source