Billy Sharp and Oliver McBurnie update emerges ahead of Sheffield United’s meeting with QPR

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has revealed that Billy Sharp is set to miss tomorrow’s meeting with Queens Park Rangers.

The forward has yet to make a full recovery in terms of his fitness from a hamstring injury that he sustained during the Blades’ 2-0 win over Barnsley last month.

Sidelined for the club’s clash with Stoke City at the weekend, Sharp was powerless to prevent his side from suffering a 1-0 defeat at the bet365 Stadium.

John Egan’s own-goal in the second-half of this fixture allowed the Potters to seal all three points in front of their fans.

Another notable absentee from the club’s match-day squad for this fixture was Oliver McBurnie.

The Scotland international suffered a thigh strain last week but has now made some progress regarding this issue as he has returned to training.

The Blades will move into the play-off places if they avoid defeat to QPR at Bramall Lane.

Ahead of this fixture, Heckingbottom has provided an update on Sharp and McBurnie.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference about this duo (as cited by The Yorkshire Post), the Blades boss said: “Bill will be out.

“He wasn’t ready the other day, so we’ll be led by the medics and how Bill responds to his training with pushing on.

“It’s different with muscle injuries, and if you put them out there it can get worse.

“But Oli [McBurnie] has trained today.

“It could drag (with Sharp), but it’s the last little bit.

“When he did his work on Thursday and Friday, he felt it when he was running really quick.

“It’s the last hurdle, making sure he’s fit enough to sprint.”

The Verdict

When you consider that Sharp is one of the club’s most important players, it is hardly a surprise that Heckingbottom is not willing to take a risk on him