Chris Wilder makes 'problem' admission ahead of Sheffield United vs QPR

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he has ‘a big problem’ ahead of facing QPR in the Championship this weekend. The Blades are off to a winning start to the season, defeating Preston North End in their league opener and seeing off Wrexham 4-2 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

The Hoops lost their season opener against West Brom but bounced back with a Carabao Cup win of their own on over Cambridge United on Tuesday. Sheffield United have built a strong squad for this season, hoping to bounce back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Jamie Shackleton, Sam McCallum, Kieffer Moore, Callum O’Hare, Henry Molyneux, Harrison Burrows and Tyrese Campbell have all been snapped up on permanent deals, while Harry Souttar and Alfie Gilchrist have joined on loan with reported QPR target Jesurun Rak-Sakyi reportedly set to be added to the list of incomings.

As is often the case with these early cup games, Wilder gave a number of players the chance to impress against League One side Wrexham on Tuesday night, and many of them snatched their opportunity. Speaking to  BBC Radio Sheffield after the game, Wilder said “We’re after balance and depth and competition.

“We need that squad. You look at Burnley’s team [on Monday evening] and the bench: that’s going to be key for a lot of teams and lots of strength in depth. I need big problems and I have a big problem now because Souttar has been brilliant but Anel was brilliant on Friday night. Those are the problems I want and if [Cooper and Rak-Sakyi] come in they certainly add to the group.”

The Blades suffered a potential injury blow against Wrexham, though, with full-back Femi Seriki picking up an injury. But Wilder did add that he was confident that he would be okay after what was described as a “groin tweak”.