Couple of injury worries for Blades

Sheffield United pair Darius Henderson and Jamie Ward remain serious doubts for next Monday’s Championship play-off final against Burnley at Wembley.

Henderson is the least likely to face the Clarets as he battles to overcome a hamstring problem, while Northern Ireland Under 21 international Ward is taking more time than expected to recover from an ankle injury.

Blades’ boss Kevin Blackwell said: “I’ll be honest, both of them are touch and go. They both have significantly worse injuries than we thought.

“If one of them plays I will be delighted. The medical team are working with them 24/7 but I just feel the game will come a week too early.

“Jamie probably has more chance than Darius whose injury is much more stubborn and, as we all know, hamstrings can often take a set amount of time. But we are not giving up on them by any stretch of the imagination.”

United, meanwhile, have been preparing for the Wembley showpiece in the sunny climate of Spain’s La Manga and there was better news on the injury side for Blackwell as Greg Halford looks set to be passed fit for the final.

Halford was forced off against Preston in the semi-final, second-leg despite heading home the winner against the Lilywhites but he is making good progress and is expected to shake off an Achilles injury.