Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is hoping to have as many as four fresh faces in his squad this weekend as he looks to re-ignite his side's play-off push following a three-week international break.
The Blades have endured a difficult start to their latest Championship campaign, picking up just nine points from their opening eight league fixtures -- losing each of their last two.
However, Wilder has challenged his side to re-discover their groove upon their return to league action, starting against second-tier newbies Lincoln on Saturday.
His hopes of an upturn in fortunes are likely to be boosted by the potential returns of a quartet of key players, all of whom have been nursing troublesome injury issues.
Femi Seriki, Harrison Burrows and Ryan One haven't featured since August, whilst Sam McCallum has been ruled out of action since suffering a knock against Wolverhampton Wanderers in mid-September.
"Hopefully, we’ll have the full quartet of players back for the Lincoln game," Wilder revealed at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
I’m absolutely certain three out of the four will be available, which is good.
- Chris Wilder (The Star)
The Blades boss did stop short of confirming that any of the returning players would be in-line to start the clash with the Imps, admitting that they will likely take up spots amongst the substitutes.
"Not really, when they've been out for eight weeks and they've had no football," he answered when asked whether they are ready to start.
Meanwhile, midfielder Tahith Chong is available for selection after an agreement was struck with Curacao for the ex-Manchester United man to be left out of their squad for their recent triple-header.
The 26-year-old played just 10 minutes of the Blades 2-1 defeat at Stoke City last time out as he made his return following a five-week lay-off, with the club subsequently managing his rehabilitation over the break as opposed to releasing him for international duty.
Tyrese Campbell remains unavilable as he continues to recover from a muscle injury, although Rhys Norrington-Davies and Tom Cannon -- both of whom have been away with their countries -- could start.
Sheffield United possible XI v Lincoln City
Cooper; Baptiste, Tanganga, Kitching; Choudhury, Phillips, Peck, Norrington-Davies; Donovan, Cannon, Brereton Diaz
