Sheffield United

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Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after the Blades suffered a surprise 3-0 defeat at home to relegation battlers Hull City.

"Just maybe a game too far for us a little bit. I wanted to get through this game," Wilder said.

"I felt we were still stretched a little bit, playing a left-back in the middle of the park.

"Obviously putting boys into the team as well on a first start, so it was a little bit disjointed.

"Poor goals from our point of view. The first one gives them a huge lift. Then you could see, all of a sudden they sit into a low block and it's up to us to break them down.

"We couldn't find that rhythm and that bit of quality. And then the second goal was another poor goal to give away. And the third goal, we're chasing the game.

"It's a disappointing night. There will be twists and turns right the way through. We've put ourselves in a really good position. We can't rest on our laurels and not get over this.

"We have to get over this pretty quickly. The cavalry are coming, reinforcements are coming, boys are coming back from injury. We just have to accept we've been beaten.

"We've won plenty of games this season. I'm not going to beat the boys up for it. Other people can, they can beat me up, but I'm not going to."

"We've put ourselves in a great position and we need to be as strong as possible."

Before Sheffield United host Hull City on Friday night (20:00 GMT), boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield about incoming prospects in January.

The Blades have reportedly agreed personal terms with Hertha Berlin defender JonJoe Kenny, with the right-back having voiced his interest in joining the club.

"Position specific, it's an area we are looking to improve and obviously JonJoe is one of those players that has been on our radar," Wilder said.

Wilder has confirmed that he expects the signing of Leicester City striker Tom Cannon to be completed before the deadline for Friday's match, while he still has his eye on midfielder Shea Charles, who has been on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Southampton, but knows they will face tough competition for his signature.

"He'll be on everybody else's radar as well," Wilder added.

"We are playing a left-back in there at the moment, with a player in his first season of Championship football. It's not ideal."

The United midfield has been especially hit recently.

Along with Ollie Arblaster, who is out long-term with an ACL injury, the Blades have also lost Gus Hamer through suspension as well as injuries to Tom Davies and Jamie Shackleton.

But Wilder expects Davies to be "there or thereabout" for the upcoming games against Derby and Portsmouth.

You can keep up to date with the latest Sheffield United news by listening to the Blades Heaven podcast on BBC Sounds.

Sheffield United host Hull City on Friday evening (20:00 GMT) with the chance to regain top spot in the Championship table.

The Blades were league leaders after a 2-1 win against Swansea City on Tuesday, but were displaced by Leeds United when the Whites took victory the following evening.

Hull City lost 2-1 at home to QPR to drop back into the bottom three following a win for previous tenants Portsmouth.

• United are unbeaten across their past seven league games against Hull (W6 D1), conceding one goal during that time.

• Hull have won one of their past 17 away league games against the Blades since 1971 (W1 D6 L10), failing to score in each of their past three visits to Bramall Lane.

• United have won each of their past three home league games against fellow Yorkshire sides 1-0 and will be looking to win four in succession for the first time since April 2006.

• Hull have won each of their past two away league games whilst keeping a clean sheet, not since March 2011 have the Tigers won three in succession on the road without conceding a goal in the process.

• No team have more home clean sheets in the Championship this season than Sheffield United (10), while only Burnley (4) have conceded fewer home goals than the Blades so far (5).

Sheffield United visit Swansea City as they continue their hunt for the Championship title on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

The Blades have won both their past two league matches to leave them one point shy of league leaders Leeds United, with their hosts sitting comfortably mid table.

However, United did lose their most recent match against a Welsh side, a 1-0 FA Cup loss to Cardiff City.

• Swansea have lost each of their past four league games against Sheffield United, failing to score in any of those matches during that time.

• United have won one of their past nine away league games against Swansea (W1 D3 L5), although they could win on successive such visits for the first time since November 1958.

• Swansea are unbeaten in each of their past three home league games (W2 D1), picking up more points (7) in that run than their prior seven league matches (6 – W1 D3 L3).

• United have won three of their past four league games on the road (W3 L1), and have only lost one of their previous eight away from home in the Championship (W5 D2 L1) – 2-1 against Sunderland on New Year's Day.

• After losing his first two Football League encounters with Swansea in the 2018-19 season, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is unbeaten in his past four league meetings with them (W3 D1).

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Sheffield United have agreed a £10m deal with Leicester City to sign striker Tom Cannon after he was recalled from a loan spell with Stoke City. (Sky Sports), external

The Blades have also agreed personal terms with Hertha Berlin defender Jonjoe Kenny and will sign the 27-year-old from the Bundesliga club for around £800k. (TeamTalk), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Championship game at Swansea City (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the Blades being linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles who is currently on loan at city rivals Sheffield Wednesday: "He's a player we know a lot about - I know his agent really well. He's a player we identified in the summer as well - we're all doing our jobs and there's a list of players so it's not a wind-up. He's on the list and we'll see where we go in the next week."

• A move for Leicester forward Tom Cannon is progressing: "There's talk between the clubs and agents and player and we've put a bid in so I'm due to catch-up with Stephen Bettis (CEO) regarding the progression of not just one player but two or three others so I think it will be a moving week for us."

• Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are training today (Monday) and could be involved in the game in south Wales: "It's not absolutely nailed on - we have to be sensible but if they can get involved on Tuesday that'd be great news."

• On injuries to Tom Davies and Sam McCallum: "Tom is going for a scan and hopefully it won't be too bad - he's doubtful for Tuesday but we're under the impression it won't be anymore than one or two games and we're hopeful Sam will be okay for Tuesday."

Burnley and Sheffield United are among clubs interested in 30-year-old Rangers forward Tom Lawrence, with the 23-cap Wales international out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Mail, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip here.

Sheffield United have enquired about the availability of Everton defender Michael Keane. The Blades are also progressing deals for Leicester striker Tom Cannon and Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz. (Sheffield Star), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after their 2-0 win over Norwich sent them top of the Championship.

"I thought the team was excellent from start to finish against dangerous opposition," he said.

"We talked at Watford about sometimes, ultimately, it's just about getting over the winning line and emotionally and physically exhausting yourself.

"Digging in and having to make that recovery run, or make that block, or get up to support play, and they did all of those things at Watford.

"That's something for us all to lean on in what the group is all about. At our absolute weakest, we produced that.

"We got a couple back today and lost a couple. I thought we controlled the game, created some really good chances, a couple of great goals and opportunities.

"We never really were in danger, did the out of possession stuff really well, coped with that against dangerous opposition, and in possession I thought we were bright, sharp and created some good opportunities, so a fabulous day.

"I said to the players we have to embrace it, the reward for getting three points today was going back to the top of the division and we've done that."

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore is awaiting a hernia operation and could be out for two to three weeks, according to boss Chris Wilder.

The Wales international has been struggling with the medical problem for several weeks but should be present for the Blades' game against Norwich on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"Kieffer has been battling away with this issue for quite a while now," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"People have a nip at him - maybe that happens when you miss a penalty or you don't produce your best performance - but they need to know that's the reason.

"When that operation will happen will possibly coincide with having the likes of Tyrese [Campbell] and a couple of other boys we are after joining the club, then that gives us wiggle room in terms of getting Kieffer in."

Campbell and defender Femi Seriki have both returned to training and will be available for Saturday's game.

However, midfielder Vini Souza and winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are "touch and go" to face the Canaries but are close to a return.

Meanwhile, defender Jamie Shackleton has taken a knock on the bottom of his foot and will also miss out.

You can listen to Wilder's full pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Promotion-chasing Sheffield United host Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as they continue to contend for the title.

The Blades are currently third in the table, level on points with second-placed Burnley and one point behind league leaders Leeds United.

However, United have only won one of their past five games and suffered a defeat by Cardiff City in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Norwich have not lost any of their past four league games but were thrashed out of the Cup by Premier League side Brighton.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten across their past eight league games against Norwich (W5 D3), a run directly following a stint during which the Blades suffered eight defeats across 10 meetings with the Norfolk side (W2).

• Norwich have lost just two of their past 10 league games against sides from Yorkshire (W5 D3), though were defeated in their last such match, by Sheffield Wednesday, in November.

• After winning nine of their first 10 home league games this season (D1), Sheffield United are since winless in their past two at Bramall Lane (D1 L1); the Blades haven't gone three without victory in the Championship at home under boss Chris Wilder since December 2018.

• Norwich have won their past two league games and will be aiming to win three in a row for the first time since March 2024.

• Since the beginning of last season, Norwich have averaged 1.6 points per game in the 51 Championship matches with Borja Sainz in their starting XI (W22 D16 L13) compared to 1.3 points in their 21 matches without the Spaniard in their line-up (W8 D3 L10).