Sheffield United & Sunderland Injury Latest as Glaring Weakness Outlined Ahead of Play-off Final | OneFootball

As Sheffield United and Sunderland prepare to clash in next Saturday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley, both clubs are closely monitoring the fitness of their players in preparation for this highly anticipated game.

Sheffield United’s Injury News

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Ben Brereton Diaz of Sheffield United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers FC and Sheffield United FC at Loftus Road on March 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Chris Wilder’s squad seems the fitter of the two heading into the final, though a couple of question marks remain.

Ben Brereton Diaz, the Chilean international and one of United’s more dangerous attacking outlets on the break, has missed the last three matches due to a virus.

Femi Seriki, who featured as a late substitute in the final-day clash against Blackburn Rovers, picked up a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the entire semi-final victory over Bristol City. His potential availability would offer an important tactical option, especially against Sunderland’s pacey front line.

The right-back’s athleticism and energy could be key in helping United deal with the Black Cats’ speed and direct play in transition with the likes of Wilson Isidor, Eliezer Mayenda and Romaine Mundle.

There are no fresh injury concerns beyond the long-term absentees. Harry Clarke and Oliver Arblaster were both ruled out for the season weeks ago, while Jamie Shackleton, having barely featured this campaign, is unlikely to be involved on Saturday.

Sunderland’s Injury News

Sunderland’s preparation has been more complicated, with a handful of players working to return from injury, while others face late fitness tests. And, being forced into a gruelling extra-time battle against Coventry City would’ve given them a few more extra bumps and bruises that they would’ve liked to avoid.

Young striker Ahmed Abdullahi, signed on deadline day last September, had returned to full training from a groin issue ahead of the semi-final against Coventry City. However, a subsequent concussion has delayed his debut further. He is currently progressing through the concussion protocol and could rejoin full training in time for Wembley. Whether he’ll be deemed match-fit enough for involvement remains to be seen.

Niall Huggins has also rejoined full training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but his lack of match sharpness means a spot in the final squad is unlikely. However, a more encouraging update surrounds Aji Alese, who is making faster-than-expected progress from a serious injury suffered in January. Though he missed the semi-final, Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris confirmed earlier this week that Alese could be back in training just in time to make the squad.

On the downside, Ian Poveda looks set to miss the final entirely. The winger has yet to return to full training and played no part in either leg against Coventry City, per The Echo.

Sheffield United Could Exploit Glaring Sunderland Weakness

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

It appears as though both teams will have all of their key players healthy and ready to drive their club to the Premier League at Wembley Stadium next Saturday.

One thing is definitely clear, Sheffield United have a clear advantage in terms of an aerial presence, with Sunderland being the sixth-worst team in the Championship for aerial duels, and the Blades being the third-best in this category.

The tallest player in the Black Cats’ back line is Chris Mepham at 6ft4, but he has barely played in recent weeks. Instead, Le Bris has opted to play Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien as a pair, standing at 6ft2 and 5ft9. But with Sheffield United clearly getting far more joy by taking a more direct approach in attack, perhaps this forces Sunderland’s hand in the final; they may need to play both Ballard and Mepham together in order to combat United’s aerial threat.

The Blades will have 6ft5 Kieffer Moore, 6ft4 Anel Ahmedhodzic, 6ft2 Vinicius Souza, 6ft Tyrese Campbell, and 6ft Jack Robinson (when he’s not launching in long throw-ins), lined up to attack set-pieces against a defence that is very much on the small side compared to the average height of a Championship back line.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Get it into the mixer and cause havoc. Coventry City did just that in both legs, and I have to say Sunderland, even though they scored the winner of the tie from a corner, they looked very shaky at the back. A lot of the defence’s clearances from long throw-ins and crosses seemed shanked, and sometimes barely even went 20 yards in the first leg. Also, Anthony Patterson didn’t fill me with total confidence when coming out to claim the ball.

12 of Coventry’s 34 shots across the two legs came directly from corners, free-kicks in crossing positions, or from long throw-ins. United registered eight shots across their two legs against Bristol City, including scoring three of their six goals via set-pieces (four of seven if you include Tyrese Campbell’s extremely questionable disallowed goal in the first leg).

This is clearly a glaring weakness of Sunderland, and a growing strength of the Blades.

Stats taken from FBref.