Sheffield United leapfrogged Leeds United to the top of the Championship after the Whites dropped two points against Swansea City at Elland Road last weekend. The two sides, along with Burnley, are fighting for two promotion spots, and the Blades have received a massive injury boost ahead of their game against Oxford United on Saturday.
Chris Wilder has been the pantomime villain for Leeds United fans as the Sheffield United boss has not shied away from taking potshots at the Whites all season.
The Blades have also emerged as Leeds’ biggest rivals for promotion this season, along with Burnely, and have been a constant menace for the Whites since the start of the campaign.
Leeds hope to apply some pressure on Sheffield United with a win at Luton in the early kick-off on Saturday, but the Blades have been boosted by the return of two players from injury.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder revels in taking the right decision last week
Vinicius Souza has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury, but Wilder has revealed that the Brazilian midfielder is back in training ahead of the Oxford United game.
He admitted that he could have played last weekend, but Sheffield United decided against taking the risk.
The Sheffield United boss also revealed that right-back Jamie Shackleton, a former Leeds star who has been out since December due to a foot injury, is also back in the squad.
“Vini trained all week”, Wilder was quoted as saying by the Yorkshire Post.
“He was close to being involved on Friday, but as I’ve said a couple of times regarding players, there are times to take chances and risks and times to be a little more sensible.
“And we took that decision. But to have Vini back is a massive boost, and we have Jamie Shackleton back too.”
Leeds have a clean bill of health
The Whites have won just one of their last five games, but the good news for Daniel Farke is that most of his players are fit and ready to play during the run-in.
Wilfried Gnonto shook off an ankle problem to score from the bench against Swansea, and even captain Ethan Ampadu has made a fast recovery from a knee injury.
Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Even Patrick Bamford and Max Wober have been training since last week and are in the mix for the Luton Town game on Saturday.
For the moment, Farke doesn’t have to worry about any new injuries to one of his key players at the business end of the season.
