Sheffield United Boss Warns His Side About “Quick” Start at Ewood Park As Wilder Provides Hamer Injury Clarification
Sheffield United make the short trip across the Pennines on Tuesday night to face Blackburn Rovers, with both sides desperate for points in a crucial clash near the foot of the Championship table.
Blackburn head into the fixture on a poor run of form, having lost 2-0 to Coventry City at the weekend. Valerien Ismael’s men have failed to win, or even keep a clean sheet, since early September, when they edged past Watford 1-0. Worryingly for Rovers fans, they have picked up just a single point at Ewood Park all season, a statistic that will offer encouragement to Chris Wilder’s side.
The Blades, meanwhile, secured a much-needed boost on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Watford at Bramall Lane which was their first home victory of the campaign and only their second win overall.
Ismael’s injury woes continue to mount. The Rovers boss could remain without key captain Todd Cantwell, along with Hayden Carter, Moussa Baradji, and Harry Pickering. There are also fresh concerns over defender Lewis Miller, who picked up a knock in the defeat to Coventry.
For Sheffield United, Gustavo Hamer will miss the trip after suffering a minor setback. Wilder confirmed that the midfielder’s injury is “not long-term”, though he has been ruled out of this week’s fixtures. Tom Davies has returned to training following a calf problem but is unlikely to feature as Wilder looks to manage his recovery carefully.
Chris Wilder on Demanding More from Sheffield United Squad
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Callum O’Hare of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his teammates during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Watford at Bramall Lane on October 18, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)
After challenging his players to raise standards earlier in the month, Wilder praised the impact of his substitutes in the Watford win, saying it was the kind of competition for places he expects to see.
“I was pretty strong in terms of a chat to the players, that the ones not playing aren’t doing enough to put pressure on those getting the opportunity,” Wilder said in his pre-match press conference. “They can’t be entitled to a shirt; they have to raise their standards.”
“I’ve got to say, I thought Andre Brooks was really good on Saturday when he came on. Jairo [Riedewald] came on for his first minutes in a Sheffield United shirt. I believe people saw why we brought him into the football club. He’s had a nice and calm influence; he knows the game. Danny [Ings] coming onto the pitch. Shacks [Jamie Shackleton] made a good introduction for himself as well coming on. Harrison [Burrows], a player that has not reached the heights of last season’s performances for one reason or the other, he’s come out of the team but when he stepped onto the pitch, I thought he was outstanding.”
With two away fixtures in quick succession in Lancashire, Wilder will likely rotate his side to keep things fresh whilst managing those with minor injury worries.
Wilder on Blackburn’s Threats And Great Defensive Performance to See Watford Game Out
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Callum O’Hare of Sheffield United gestures with a thumbs up after the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Watford at Bramall Lane on October 18, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)
Speaking ahead of the trip, Wilder admitted his respect for Blackburn’s attacking threat despite their struggles.
“We analysed their game against Coventry and they were pretty unfortunate not to get a result,” he said. “It was a tight game decided by two brilliant goals. We have to start quick, they do, so we need to get out the traps and build on what we produced on Saturday. If we can do that, we’ll give ourselves every opportunity to get a result.”
The Blades’ defensive discipline against Watford was another positive for Wilder, who was particularly impressed with his side’s late-game management.
“I loved the last five minutes. I didn’t think it was sustained pressure. We put an extra man in midfield and the presence and introduction of Danny Ings I think showed to everybody that he knows the game. You look at Danny Ings, Ben Mee and their games played in the Premier League.
“Delighted with what [Ings] brought to us in the second half late on; the know-how, jumping into centre-halves and playing the game like a proper centre-forward. The last five minutes you’re always worried about Watford, and I’ve managed there. Maybe the collective didn’t do enough, but there’s always that individual bit that they have and they can just score out of nothing. I loved the last five minutes, they chucked a couple of long throws in and we defended it really well and the heart and desire of keeping the ball out of the net.”
The bad news from the weekend was the news and scary sighting of Hamer walking around in a knee brace. Wilder confirmed that the midfielder’s issue is not serious (long-term) but will sideline him for the next few fixtures.
“I don’t believe it’s going to be long, long-term like Oli Arblaster – nine to twelve months – but I’ve ruled him out of this week,” said Wilder. “We’ll see what happens and what comes of this medical meeting.”
Despite the negative news about Hamer, Sheffield United have a great opportunity to build some momentum by securing back-to-back wins against injury-strickened Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening.
