Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion are both expected to have five absentees when they meet at Bramall Lane in the Championship this Saturday.

The Blades overcame Queens Park Rangers 2-0 on Saturday, but Chris Wilder’s side is still nine points behind the play-offs, meaning they are unlikely to challenge for a spot in next season’s Premier League.

Meanwhile, West Brom have not won a Championship game since defeating QPR 2-1 on December 29, and are only one point clear of the relegation zone.

Leicester City’s six-point deduction is the only reason the Baggies are not already in the relegation zone, despite their poor record.

Football League World looks at all of the players who will miss the Blades’ game against Albion on Saturday, beginning with the hosts.

When asked for an injury update, Wilder stated in his news conference on Friday: “We’re in a good place.” “We’re in the best place we’ve been this season on many fronts.”The players are looking forward to the next game. The positive energy in the group extends beyond the players who started the game on Saturday afternoon.As I previously stated, I am pleased with the amount of work that has been required of us.

We documented the group’s mentality after taking over.It has improved and improved. Obviously, winning football games, which we have done over the previous 20-odd games or so, and rising out of the situation that we were in has made that easier,

but we are in a good spot, but we are also aware that there is danger ahead if we slide and take our foot off the throttle. I believe everyone is genuinely looking forward to the game tomorrow afternoon.”

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper has established himself as one of the Championship’s greatest goalkeepers after joining Sheffield United from Plymouth Argyle in 2024.

The Blades’ play-off hopes have been hampered by the fact that Cooper is expected to miss the remainder of the season owing to a knee injury, implying that Adam Davies, who faced QPR, would likely start in goal for the Steel City side against West Brom.

Sam McCallum

Cooper played for United in their recent defeat to Coventry City, but Blades defender Sam McCallum has been sidelined since suffering an injury in a 1-1 draw with Millwall in January.

According to BBC Radio Sheffield’s Andy Giddings via X, Wilder is concerned that the former Norwich City player’s injury could be’season-ending’.

Jamie Shackleton

Jamie Shackleton has missed the majority of his Blades career due to injuries since joining the Steel City club on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

In February, Wilder dropped the former Leeds United player from his 25-man EFL squad list, citing yet another setback.

Tom Davies

Like Shackleton, former Everton star Tom Davies has struggled since joining United in the summer of 2023, with a paucity of playing minutes due to fitness difficulties.

The 27-year-old has not appeared for the Blades since their 1-1 draw with Millwall on January 31.

Kalvin Phillips

Along with his injured absentees, Wilder will be missing midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who was sent off in the Steel City Derby triumph against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Blades’ match against West Brom will be the final of three games the 30-year-old has been banned for.

Wilder also told the press on Friday that he hurt his knee during the Sheffield Wednesday encounter. “It was a great day for many of us, but unfortunately, he was sent off due to a minor issue.”Obviously, as soon as we get word on that, he’ll be suspended, as you know, for his final game tomorrow. We’ll notify you as soon as we have any updates on that in the medium term.”

Chris Mepham

Moving on to West Brom’s absentees, defender Chris Mepham is now sidelined and last appeared for the Baggies in a 0-0 draw with Stoke City on February 7.

The centre-back was instrumental in Sunderland’s progress to the Premier League last season, but now faces relegation to League One with the team he joined this summer.

Interim Baggies manager James Morrison told BBC Radio WM that “Mephs is still working along.”

Nat Phillips

Nat Phillips, a former Liverpool player with 33 Championship appearances this season, is another Albion centre-back who will be unavailable for Saturday’s trip to South Yorkshire.

According to the Express & Star, the 28-year-old suffered a thigh muscle injury in the Baggies’ 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic on February 24 and did not play in their 2-1 loss to Oxford United.

Morrison told BBC WM that Nat is making good progress with his fitness. Hopefully, he’ll be with us next week for training.

Tamber Bany

Phillips is a recent addition to West Brom’s injured list, while midfielder Tammer Bany has not featured since a cameo appearance in a 3-1 loss to QPR in December.

According to BBC Sport, the 22-year-old sustained a thigh injury that forced him to miss four months of action.

Mikey Johnston

Mikey Johnston has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Albion team this season, with two goals and nine assists in 34 Championship matches.

However, according to West Brom’s official website, the former Celtic winger is scheduled to visit a doctor after sustaining a stress fracture in his ankle.

Karlan Grant

Another setback for the Baggies’ Championship survival hopes is that attacker Karlan Grant suffered a hamstring injury in a 1-1 draw with Derby County on January 23.

A West Brom statement stated that the Hawthorns are still hoping that the 28-year-old will return before the end of the season.