Key Blades player leaves international duty early

Concerns among Sheffield United fans about their international stars being fit for a crucial match on Saturday have been eased after a sensible approach was taken with a governing body.

George Baldock, who was on duty with Greece and played the full 90 minutes in their friendly win over New Zealand last Friday, has quickly returned to the UK to join his United teammates for the crucial weekend clash against Bournemouth at Bramall Lane.

Reports from Greece suggest that an agreement had been reached between United and national team boss Gus Poyet. It was agreed beforehand that Baldock wouldn’t play in the Euro 2024 qualifier against France unless absolutely necessary, considering Poyet’s team will participate in a play-off to determine their qualification for the next summer’s tournament. With the match against France having little significance, Baldock’s early return to Sheffield was apparently agreed upon.

The 30-year-old defender has faced a challenging season with injuries but has recently returned to action, coinciding with an improvement in Sheffield United’s performance.

His reassuring performances over the last two games will give Paul Heckingbottom a selection dilemma; the combination of Baldock and Jayden Bogle down the right side has seemingly worked better than any other combo has this season. But now Anel Ahmedhodzic is available, where does the Bosnian fit back in to the team?