Heckingbottom on injuries, morale and Arsenal test

  • Published

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has been speaking to the media before Saturday's trip to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • George Baldock is available again, with Will Osula and Max Lowe getting closer but he said that his team is currently down to its "absolute bare bones."

  • He said it has not been easy to keep morale high but believed that "things haven't gone our way, whether it's been the injuries, whether it's been moments on the pitch" referenced Spurs away [conceding two goals in stoppage time to lose 2-1] and Pickford's save with his head against Everton.

  • He wants his players to relish games like this as he sees Arsenal to be "one of the biggest, if not the biggest" tests of the season, and that "anyone finishing above them this season probably wins the league."

  • On previous good performances against Tottenham and Manchester United: "I'd take a worse performance than all those and points."

  • On Auston Trusty who joined Sheffield United from Arsenal and has started the last two games: "He's got the athleticism to play at this level, he's got a desire and mentality to improve."

  • He revealed the defender took extra sessions when he wasn't starting to improve his chances.

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