This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, featuring personal thoughts from FLW Fan Pundits on breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has stated that midfielders Gus Hamer and Ollie Arblaster will be ready to play Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough later this month.
In terms of recent form, Sheffield United appeared to have turned a corner at the end of October with consecutive victories against Watford and Blackburn.
However, three consecutive losses after picking up six points have left the red side of Sheffield far from where they wanted to be.
Even after a management change and significant movement in the summer transfer window, the Blades are clearly caught in a rut, and with fans yet to witness the best of their marquee acquisitions as well as their proven finest this season, there hasn’t been much to get excited about at Bramall Lane.
According to The Star, Blades manager Chris Wilder has confirmed the return of midfield combination Gus Hamer and Ollie Arblaster in time to face Sheffield Wednesday later in November.
Hamer’s injury has been more minor than his midfield compatriot’s, with a knee problem that has kept him out of action since early October, whilst Arblaster, 21, will shortly return to the fray after being sidelined since last November with an ACL injury.
Chris Wilder gave a ‘big boost’ to the injury returning Gus Hamer and Ollie Arblaster.
The pair’s impending comeback will undoubtedly provide Wilder with a significant boost in the future, as their presence will help to stabilise the midfield, which has been a problem for the manager this season.
With Sydie Peck serving as the Blades’ 90-minute man in their absence, who Peck partners has been a source of contention, with Jairo Riedewald and the young Djibril Soumare frequently filling in.
Jimmy (aka Blades Ramble), Football League World’s Sheffield United fan pundit, believes that the return of Hamer and Arblaster will give the Blades the best chance of putting points on the board and, more importantly, getting one over their Steel City rivals later this month.
Jimmy stated, “It’s a huge boost for us and, hopefully, it’s a huge boost for the rest of the team. I think Ollie Arblaster will be eased back in just because of the nature of his injury and how long he’s been out. But Gus Hamer, everybody knows at this level what he can bring. He was the EFL Championship Player of the Year last season, and on his day, he’s the best in the league for my money, so you always want him available.
“It’s definitely an important game for the football team. One in which neither side wants to lose and strives to win by any means possible.
“Wow, what a gigantic fixture. I’m delighted that those two are back and available, and let’s hope Sheffield United wins at Hillsborough.”
Gus Hamer and Ollie Arblaster provide Chris Wilder with much-needed midfield reinforcements
As the league standings stands, many believed that Sheffield Wednesday would face relegation owing to ownership issues and a young squad.
However, few could have imagined that both Sheffield clubs would be in or near the drop zone at this point in the season, especially after the Blades nearly missed out on promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs last season.
It’s a cliché, but the Steel City derby will be a true six-pointer unlike any other, and while both sides have lacked confidence and consistency in the 2025/26 Championship season, when it comes to a local derby, both teams will have that little bit more fighting spirit that has been lacking so far, due to wanting those bragging rights regardless of the quality of performance that has been on offer prior to November 23rd.
For Sheffield United, having Hamer and Arblaster back in the lineup will be a great lift for everyone affiliated with the club, giving them the confidence they need to win the Steel City Derby.
When the midfield combination are on top of their game, it frequently carries over to the rest of the team, and with the Blades in desperate need of a major orchestrator to turn their fortunes, both Hamer and Arblaster can be that man.
If they can deliver at the levels that Sheffield United and Wednesday fans know they are capable of, their presence in the engine room may be too much for Henrik Pedersen’s team.
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