Sheffield United

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield after their 2-0 win over Norwich sent them top of the Championship.

"I thought the team was excellent from start to finish against dangerous opposition," he said.

"We talked at Watford about sometimes, ultimately, it's just about getting over the winning line and emotionally and physically exhausting yourself.

"Digging in and having to make that recovery run, or make that block, or get up to support play, and they did all of those things at Watford.

"That's something for us all to lean on in what the group is all about. At our absolute weakest, we produced that.

"We got a couple back today and lost a couple. I thought we controlled the game, created some really good chances, a couple of great goals and opportunities.

"We never really were in danger, did the out of possession stuff really well, coped with that against dangerous opposition, and in possession I thought we were bright, sharp and created some good opportunities, so a fabulous day.

"I said to the players we have to embrace it, the reward for getting three points today was going back to the top of the division and we've done that."

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore is awaiting a hernia operation and could be out for two to three weeks, according to boss Chris Wilder.

The Wales international has been struggling with the medical problem for several weeks but should be present for the Blades' game against Norwich on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"Kieffer has been battling away with this issue for quite a while now," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"People have a nip at him - maybe that happens when you miss a penalty or you don't produce your best performance - but they need to know that's the reason.

"When that operation will happen will possibly coincide with having the likes of Tyrese [Campbell] and a couple of other boys we are after joining the club, then that gives us wiggle room in terms of getting Kieffer in."

Campbell and defender Femi Seriki have both returned to training and will be available for Saturday's game.

However, midfielder Vini Souza and winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are "touch and go" to face the Canaries but are close to a return.

Meanwhile, defender Jamie Shackleton has taken a knock on the bottom of his foot and will also miss out.

You can listen to Wilder's full pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Promotion-chasing Sheffield United host Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as they continue to contend for the title.

The Blades are currently third in the table, level on points with second-placed Burnley and one point behind league leaders Leeds United.

However, United have only won one of their past five games and suffered a defeat by Cardiff City in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Norwich have not lost any of their past four league games but were thrashed out of the Cup by Premier League side Brighton.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten across their past eight league games against Norwich (W5 D3), a run directly following a stint during which the Blades suffered eight defeats across 10 meetings with the Norfolk side (W2).

• Norwich have lost just two of their past 10 league games against sides from Yorkshire (W5 D3), though were defeated in their last such match, by Sheffield Wednesday, in November.

• After winning nine of their first 10 home league games this season (D1), Sheffield United are since winless in their past two at Bramall Lane (D1 L1); the Blades haven't gone three without victory in the Championship at home under boss Chris Wilder since December 2018.

• Norwich have won their past two league games and will be aiming to win three in a row for the first time since March 2024.

• Since the beginning of last season, Norwich have averaged 1.6 points per game in the 51 Championship matches with Borja Sainz in their starting XI (W22 D16 L13) compared to 1.3 points in their 21 matches without the Spaniard in their line-up (W8 D3 L10).

Sheffield United have offered £7m for Leicester's Republic of Ireland striker Tom Cannon, 22, who has been recalled from his loan at Stoke. (Football Insider, external)

Sunderland have also made a bid to sign Cannon, with an eye to purchase the Republic of Ireland international if they are promoted this season. (Sunderland Echo, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip here.

Both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday are keen to sign Tom Cannon if he is recalled by Leicester from his loan at Stoke City and becomes available. (Yorkshire Post), external

The Blades are also set to battle Luton Town for the £4m signing of midfielder Timothy Ouma from Swedish top flight side IF Elfsborg. (Football League World), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip here.

Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers have joined the race to sign Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz, with the Chile international struggling for game time on the south coast. (The Star, external)

However, the 25-year-old prefers either a loan move to Sheffield United or to see out the rest of the season with the Saints. (Daily Mail, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip here.

Sheffield United could miss out on re-signing Ben Brereton-Diaz from Southampton to aid their promotion push, with Sunderland said to be leading the race for the striker's signing ahead of the Blades and Blackburn. (Sheffield Star, external)

Stoke could lose loan striker Tom Cannon this week, if Leicester decide to recall him and send him elsewhere, with Sheffield United, Sunderland, Luton and Sheffield Wednesday all monitoring the 22-year-old Irish forward. (Leicester Mercury, external)

Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

Sheffield United's 1-0 defeat by Cardiff City in the FA Cup third round on Thursday night was watched by just 6,126 fans, meaning Bramall Lane was less than a fifth full.

Former Blades midfielder Michael Brown says he was disappointed by the low attendance but tells The Football News Show that the FA Cup still holds allure for players, clubs and supporters.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Image source, Rex Features

Several Championship clubs will be playing close attention to comments from Aston Villa boss Unai Emery about attacking midfielder Louie Barry.

The 21-year-old has been recalled by Villa this week after a stellar loan spell with League One Stockport, where he scored 16 goals this season.

Leeds, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Middlesbrough, Millwall and Coventry are among the clubs reported to be keen on taking Barry for a stint in the second tier for the remainder of the campaign.

Speaking ahead of Villa's FA Cup third round clash with West Ham, Emery said: "(Barry) trained with us and we are going to make a plan with him, an overall plan,

"I think he is a very good player who is progressing well. He has been on loan doing fantastic. Now we can have a new plan with him.

"He improved because he was scoring a lot of goals on loan. With us he only trained today and yesterday. Of course we are going to try and get a good plan for the club with him."