Sheffield United are preparing for their upcoming match against Norwich City with uncertainty surrounding defender Ben Mee, who is nursing a hand injury. Reports from The72 confirm that Mee recently underwent a minor surgical procedure, which ruled him out of the Blades' impressive 4-0 victory over Stoke City in their latest Championship fixture. Read more about Norwich City Await FA Cup Draw as Excitement Builds.
Manager Paul Wilder provided insight into Mee's situation, stating, "It's quite a difficult one because he's had a minor operation to a hand injury, so really it's an ongoing thing, week by week. We'll see how it heals. The good thing about it is obviously, he can do work, he can do all the stuff, it's just the contact that he has to keep clear of. Ben's deeply disappointed regarding it and knowing in a short period of time working with him and knowing over a longer period of time who he's worked with and what he's achieved, he'll want to make himself available as soon as possible."
Mee joined Sheffield United on a one-year contract from Brentford and brings a wealth of experience to the Blades' defence, having made over 450 professional appearances. His previous stints at Burnley and Brentford have established him as a reliable figure, with 376 appearances at Turf Moor and five goals in his final season with the Bees.
Currently, Sheffield United sit in 18th place in the Championship table, eight points adrift of the play-off spots and five points clear of the relegation zone. The Blades are keen to maintain their momentum after securing victories in their last four matches, including wins against Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, Leicester City, and Stoke City, remaining unbeaten in their last five outings. Read more about Dobbin Shines as Preston Target Play-Offs.
In contrast, Norwich City find themselves in a challenging position near the bottom of the table. Following the sacking of Liam Manning, the club recently appointed Philippe Clement as head coach. The Canaries are entrenched in the relegation zone, trailing safety by five points. After a narrow 3-2 defeat to Watford last month, they will be eager to turn their fortunes around. Despite their struggles, Norwich possess talents like striker Josh Sargent, who could pose a significant threat to Wilder's side.
As Sheffield United keep a close eye on Mee's recovery, they have capable alternatives ready to step in, including Mark McGuinness, Japhet Tanganga, and Tyler Bindon. The upcoming clash against Norwich City promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the Championship.