Sheffield United secured their first league win in dramatic manner on Tuesday night, defeating Bolton Wanderers 3-2 at Bramall Lane.

Despite a less-than-ideal transfer window in which important players left and replacements were mostly loans and free transfers, the Blades are one of five second-tier teams yet to lose after four games.

Their bid to go five games unbeaten will face a Norwich City side that has missed expectations thus far.

Only Southampton had more points in the second half of last season than the Canaries, but Philippe Clement’s side has only won one of their first four games this season, losing the other three, including on Tuesday against Stoke City, who had lost all of their previous league games.

Norwich will be aiming to turn things around in South Yorkshire, while the Blades will be hoping to win three games in a row at home. These nine players, however, will be unable to participate.

Femi Seriki

Sheffield United had a major injury concern in late August, when Femi Seriki’s knee injury was found to be keeping the 24-year-old out “for a considerable time.” It’s a major blow for the Blades, since he contributed six goals in a breakout season last year.

The Blades were obliged to look to the transfer market for right-back backup, with Matt Doherty still working his way back to full fitness and Jamie Shackleton’s injury history giving some concern.

Hamza Choudhury came in and deputised against Bolton, and the three will most likely share minutes on the right side of defence while Seriki heals.

Harrison Burrows

Harrison Burrows’ absence from the last two games concerned some Sheffield United fans, especially after it was disclosed that Burnley’s bid for the left-back was turned down on deadline day.

The 24-year-old remained at Bramall Lane, with Chris Wilder stating that he tweaked a quad in the draw against Swansea City, which explains his continued absence.

Ryan One

Exciting 20-year-old Ryan One was expected to have a breakout season for the Blades, but he suffered a hamstring injury on the Championship’s opening day against Birmingham City.

The Sheffield United manager allayed any fears that it would be a significant setback, but it has kept the Scotsman out since that game against the Blues.

Tahith Chong

Curacao international Tahith Chong has also been absent since the opening-day draw with Birmingham. He was substituted in the EFL Cup the previous week against Mansfield Town after 30 minutes.

Before their EFL Cup second-round win over Blackburn Rovers, Wilder claimed that both Chong and One were “ongoing issues,” and it’s safe to assume that the Blades manager isn’t taking any chances by bringing them back too soon.

Jovan Makama

Norwich walked away from their loss to Stoke with no major injury concerns, and their injury list is shrinking as the weeks pass.

Jovon Makama has returned to team training after re-injuring his foot in preseason, following an earlier injury in February that sidelined him for the duration of the season.

Jovon Makama’s maiden campaign for Norwich City (all competitions).

Appearances

31

Goals

13

Assists

1

Tuesday’s matchup was too soon for a comeback, and the same is expected on Saturday.

Gabe Forsyth

Gabe Forsyth, Scotland’s under-19 international, is also making progress after missing 18 months due to a knee injury.

The 20-year-old has only appeared seven times for the first squad since joining from Hamilton Academical in 2023, but he is close to making a comeback after appearing in an under-21s match last week.

However, it may take a few weeks for Philippe Clement to reintegrate him into the first team.

Mirko Topic

Mirko Topic played just a game and a half for Clement before suffering a season-ending ACL injury last November.

Nearly ten months after the injury, the Serbian midfielder is a little behind Forsyth in his rehabilitation, but he should be back in competition soon.

Lucien Mahovo

Lucien Mahovo is still out with an ankle injury sustained during a pre-season game against Colchester United.

The 21-year-old remains a long-term absentee, with Darlin Yongwa assuming the left-back position.

Ali Ahmad

And Ali Ahmed will miss the entire 2026/27 season after sustaining a severe ACL injury at the start of last month.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Canaries for just £1.4 million, scored four goals and assisted three times in the second half of last season after joining from MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps.