Team News: Sargent available for Bramall Lane

Head coach Dean Smith provided an update on the fitness of Josh Sargent after he was replaced at the break against Luton Town on Tuesday evening.

Head coach Dean Smith provided an update on the fitness of Josh Sargent after he was replaced at the break against Luton Town on Tuesday evening.

Ahead of kick-off, Kieran Dowell was removed from the starting line-up with a chest injury before Sargent was replaced by Todd Cantwell at the break.

"Kieran Dowell has laryngitis but other than that everyone else has been training. Sargent's fine, he's training today," Smith said.

The head coach also outlined that he expects to be working with the current group until after the World Cup window with no other injury returns expected.

Left-back Dimi Giannoulis made his return after almost three months out during the week but it might be too early to see him in the first XI.

"It would be a push to start him. He's been out a long time, since the Wigan game, the first home game of the season. I've not faced a situation like this where we've had 15 games of a season and I've lost five players who can play left back.

"It's a nasty looking ankle at the moment but he (Andrew Omobamidele) should be back after the World Cup. Sam (Byram) is back on the grass, Lungi (Sorensen) will be training during the World Cup and Adam Idah, we'll look to get him back training as well."

Paul Heckingbottom's side are currently a point and two positions ahead of Norwich on the table, and Smith highlighted how little there is between the teams at the top.

With three consecutive defeats for Norwich, Smith says that he and his staff are seeking a response from the squad this weekend.

"We want a response. I want a performance. Ten days ago, we'd lost one in 10, and now we've lost three on the spin. I believe we should have not got beaten in two of them. Watford were the only team who deserved to beat us," he explained.

"You only have to have a look at the table, it's very up and down. That is the nature of the games, when you have so many coming thick and fast.

"I relish every game we play. I understand that I'm in a privileged position. I'm totally invested in it, and I totally believe that we'll get promoted.

"Sheffield United are a good team. There's a number of teams similar to ourselves who have all been in the Premier League over the last few years. The best teams will come through in this league."