Sheffield United handed triple boost ahead of Bristol City | OneFootball

The Blades are going to be much closer to full strength this time out.

Sheffield United trio Ben Brereton-Diaz, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Femi Seriki are all set to be available for the side's Monday night encounter with Bristol City in the second leg of their play-off semi-final tie.

Despite missing a potentially important set of players for their trip to Ashton Gate, the Blades were able to take home a commanding 3-0 advantage after the first leg.

Rak-Sakyi and Seriki were unavailable last week due to respective fitness issues, while the Chilean international's illness made him a doubt for the contest and was rested as a precautionary measure.

Chris Wilder confirms triple Sheffield United availability boost ahead of Bristol City second leg

Chris Wilder has said that the three wide players will be available for selection for the second leg, further strengthening United's chances of making it to the play-off final at Wembley.

"We made a decision on Femi and Breo, on Thursday night, and we're delighted to say both will be involved on Monday," the Blades' boss confirmed, via The Star. "Credit to the sports science department, the conditioners and the doctors and everyone else who don’t get any recognition to give me the opportunity to pick from a clean bill of health.

"There's been a lot talked about this club over a number of years from a fitness point of view. We needed to get back to that because you need your best players available and in training. All those players we couldn't call upon last season and the experienced players were on the treatment table.

"We've got that feel now, we're all together and pushing to get into the team and respect when they're not in the side. Callum O’Hare been outstanding the last two or three games, Tom Davies came on on Thursday and made an outstanding contribution. Rob Holding and Kieffer Moore have played a part.

"Femi’s pushing, Brooksy’s played, Sam McCallum has featured. They're all giving their all and respect the decisions we make, and respect their teammates as well. There's going to be some disappointment on their part but they take it in the right way. And we'll need all that togetherness to go strong into a hopefully memorable night on Monday."

Brereton Diaz and Rak-Sakyi haven't appeared in one of Wilder's squad since their chances of automatic promotion went up in smoke thanks to their 2-1 loss to Burnley at Turf Moor.

The boss said that it was a muscular issue that kept the Crystal Palace loanee from playing at Ashton Gate in the first leg. "He's just had a little bit of a tight hamstring, so we've been careful. If there'd been a gamble to have, we'd have had a gamble. He was close to being involved on Thursday and he'll be involved on Monday."

Sheffield United have to establish early confidence on Monday night

Their opponents in the second leg really have nothing to lose. They are already 3-0 down on aggregate and they will be without one of their more experienced players, Rob Dickie, after his red card for a penalty-box challenge on Moore was not overturned after the Robins appealed it.

City should have no fear heading to Bramall Lane. Most people believe the Blades already have one foot in the final, and that could actually be a dangerous prospect for Wilder's players.

Pressure will be on them to establish dominance at home against an inferior team. If any nerves or jitters begin to creep in during the early phases of play, and, perhaps, Liam Manning's side score first, then United will be put under further strain to hold onto their lead.