Top scorer and 5 others set to miss Sheffield United v Plymouth Argyle | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at the five players who will be absent when Sheffield United host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon

Sheffield United host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon. for a Championship affair which will have ramifications at both ends of the table.

The Blades have enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run, which has included seven victories, and sit top of the league despite a two-point deduction.

On the other hand, the Pilgrims are currently second-bottom and have endured three consecutive defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Bristol City and a 6-1 hammering at Norwich City.

Ahead of the clash between the table-toppers and one of this season's relegation candidates, Football League World takes a look at the five players who are set to miss out on the action when Chris Wilder's Blades welcome Wayne Rooney's Pilgrims.

Ollie Arblaster

Blades midfielder Ollie Arblaster is set to be the South Yorkshire outfit's only absentee for their clash with Plymouth this weekend.

He has not featured for Saturday's hosts since his side's victory over Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday last month, courtesy of an ACL injury he suffered during November's encounter with the Owls.

Joe Edwards

Contrary to Wilder's largely injury-free ranks, Rooney is currently dealing with a quartet of Argyle players who are currently nursing injuries, including the experienced Joe Edwards.

Edwards' last appearance for the Pilgrims came during an entertaining 3-3 draw with Preston North End back in October, but he had to leave the action on 50 minutes due to a hamstring injury, and will not return until 2025.

Muhamed Tijani

Striker Muhamed Tijani, who is on loan with the Pilgrims from Czech outfit Slavia Prague, made just three Championship appearances before tearing his hamstring in training ahead of an early October defeat to promotion challengers Burnley, and won't be available for selection until January.

Morgan Whittaker

Morgan Whittaker was Argyle's star man last term and notched 19 goals and eight assists as the Devon side achieved the feat of Championship survival – making the reported £1m fee that the Greens paid Swansea City look a bargain.

So far this season, he has bagged three goals in 15 second-tier appearances but has not made an outing since his side drew 2-2 with Watford last month, thanks to a foot injury that has ruled him out until 2025.

Ibrahim Cissoko

Ibrahim Cissoko last featured for the Pilgrims when he was sent off during a miserable 5-0 defeat at Cardiff City, and has so far been unable to redeem himself, after having surgery on a hip injury.

Rooney confirmed that both Cissoko and the aforementioned Tijani won't be back until next month: "It was really nice this (Thursday) morning to see TJ and Cissoko on the grass.

"It will still be at some point in January, but that was encouraging.

"They are just stepping up their rehab with both being out for a long period of time, TJ in particular.

"They are still on track for the timescale we were given.

"I have been there as a player, I know it's frustrating being in the gym and doing all your rehab and stuff.

Tyrese Campbell

Wilder has confirmed that summer arrival Tyrese Campbell, who is United's top scorer this season, will miss Saturday's game but eased fears about a long lay-off.