Stoke City's team selection boost for Sheffield United clash but doubts remain over star man

Sheffield United kick-off their bid for a top six place at Stoke on Saturday. They have enjoyed a two-week international break but return with the first of eight hugely important fixtures.

Paul Heckingbottom's men will start the day in fifth place, two points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough and will be hoping to pick up where they left off against Barnsley. The trip to the Bet365 Stadium is the start of another busy and intense fixture period for the Blades, which sees five matches in the space of just 16 days.

Heckingbottom was hoping the break had come at a good time for his players, after an injury crisis had threatened to derail their push for promotion. Enda Stevens, John Fleck and Oli McBurnie all returned to the matchday squad last time out in the Yorkshire derby against the Tykes. He's hoping the likes of George Baldock, Ben Davies and Chris Basham can also join them for the run-in.

However, Billy Sharp's availability is unknown after coming off with a hamstring injury in that 2-0 win over Poya Asbaghi's side. And Heckingbottom is not alone when it comes to fitness concerns.

His opposite number Michael O'Neill also looks set to be without key players. Influential playmaker Nick Powell limped out of the home defeat against Blackpool at the beginning of March and has not been seen since.

He was originally given a six-week timeframe for recovery and although the international break will have been welcome, Saturday's game could come too soon for the former Wigan and Manchester United man.

Jaden Philogene-Bidace is also a doubt. The Aston Villa loanee came off at half-time in the 2-1 defeat to Luton in mid-February and has been struggling with a knee complaint. He came off the bench late on against Blackpool