Sheffield United hit with potential double blow ahead of Bristol City | OneFootball

The Blades will be slightly hampered heading into the post-season.

Femi Seriki has been ruled out of contention to play Sheffield United's play-off semi-final first leg against Bristol City on Thursday, while Ben Brereton-Diaz is also a doubt for the match due to an illness.

There's little debate about which of the four Championship sides that have games remaining has the most talented squad: it's the Blades. Because of their multiple stints in the Premier League over the last five years, they have been able to invest in their squad much more heavily than their three play-off competitors.

Wilder and his team missed out on automatic promotion to Leeds United and Burnley, who both reached the 100-point mark. United were no slouches, though, attaining 90 points across the campaign - 14 more than Sunderland in fourth.

These two factors - the points tally and the talent in their squad - make the Blades the obvious favourites to get past the Robins in the semi-finals and beat one of the Black Cats or Coventry City at Wembley to retake their spot in the top flight. In order to do that, they are going to be without some potentially influential players.

Sheffield United set for potential double fitness blow ahead of Bristol City play-off first leg

The Blades' boss has confirmed that Seriki, 23, will be unavailable for Thursday night's game against Liam Manning's side, at Ashton Gate, as per Andy Giddings.

There's a chance that Brereton-Diaz may miss the opening game of the post-season too. He has picked up an illness which puts him in doubt for Thursday's trip to the southwest, but Wilder stated that the Chilean international, 26, will be available for the second leg.

On the two fitness questions, Wilder said, via the Yorkshire Post: "He (Seriki) has had a scan, so no major damage. Potentially, he will be available for the second leg, so that’s good news. He will miss out on Thursday night as he’s got a bit of damage in that shoulder. Fingers crossed, we will get him ready for Monday.

"The only (other) one we have talked about is Ben through an illness that he picked up. We will make a decision whether he will travel with us or not. If he doesn’t he will definitely be involved on Monday."

Sheffield United's quality should shine through despite some fitness concerns

The attacker wasn't involved in the Blades' final two games of the season, one of which they won 2-0 against Stoke City, the other they drew 1-1 on the final day versus Blackburn Rovers.

Prior to their dreadful end to the season that saw them lose four of their final seven contests, the Blades had won two-thirds of their Championship games this season, and that's because of the pure ability there is in their playing staff.