As Sheffield United gear up for the 2025/26 Championship season under new manager Rubén Selles, the Blades have been dealt a series of injury blows during their pre-season preparations. These setbacks, affecting key players, have raised concerns among fans and could reshape the club’s transfer strategy as they aim for promotion back to the Premier League. With the season opener against Preston North End on 9th August looming, Selles faces the challenge of navigating these early hurdles to ensure his squad is ready for the rigors of the Championship.
Damaging Blow
The intense pre-season training sessions, focused on pressing drills, passing sequences, and set-piece work, have tested the squad’s fitness but also exposed vulnerabilities, with several players succumbing to injuries. The Blades’ injury woes echo past seasons, where the club has struggled with fitness issues, as highlighted by a 2022 analysis that attributed problems to poor conditioning, training ground conditions, and bad luck.
Key Players Sidelined
The most significant injury concerns involve midfielder Tom Davies and right-back Jamie Shackleton, both of whom are expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to back and calf issues, respectively. Manager Rubén Selles confirmed these timelines in a recent statement, noting that the duo’s absence will impact the early stages of the campaign. Shackleton’s injury, a knee twist sustained during a 2-1 pre-season win over Rotherham United, has particularly disrupted plans, as the former Leeds United player was expected to compete for the starting right-back role following Jayden Bogle’s departure to Leeds.
Young midfielder Oliver Arblaster, a cornerstone of the Blades’ future, is another major concern. The 21-year-old, who missed the 2024 play-off final due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in November 2024, is not expected to return until mid-September. Selles has emphasized a cautious approach to Arblaster’s recovery, stating, “Ollie is not going to be with us until the middle of September if everything goes according to the plan.” Despite Arblaster’s optimism about an earlier return, his absence for the opening month of the season is a blow to a midfield already stretched by Davies’ injury.
