Ruben Selles quashes ‘fitness’ concerns over key Sheffield United man as Oli Arblaster situation becomes clear

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Sheffield United are looking to put right the wrongs of Saturday evening’s 4-1 defeat to Bristol City as they travel to Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

In what is arguably the tie of the round, the Blades know that they must not start slowly against Blues at St. Andrew’s – especially after they were put to the sword against a clinical Robins side at the weekend.

The South Yorkshire outfit have had to sell Jefferson Caceres due to already reaching the limit on work permits, with Nils Zatterstrom identified as Anel Ahmedhodzic’s replacement after his move to Feyenoord.

Nevertheless, there is still plenty of quality in Ruben Selles’ squad, and he has now cleared up any fitness concerns over Michael Cooper, while there is also an update on Oli Arblaster.

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Ruben Selles addresses Michael Cooper concerns at Sheffield United with an update on Oli Arblaster

Without their goalkeeper, the Blades may not have been in hot pursuit of Leeds United and Burnley in the Championship promotion race last season.

However, he could do little to prevent Bristol City’s dominance on Saturday, as rumours swirled that he has been struggling with an injury. Selles has now cleared up the situation at Sheffield United: “He’s fully fit,” he started.

“He has been training and he played. Let’s see if he plays tomorrow. But if he doesn’t, then it’s not for any fitness reasons.”

Meanwhile, The Star have confirmed that midfielder Oli Arblaster’s recovery has not been extended into 2026, and Sheffield United are hoping that he can return ‘soon’.

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Ruben Selles needs Michael Cooper to remain fit

The Blades are currently bottom of the Championship, a position that few saw them occupying at any point this season. However, they must not panic early on.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
20	Oxford UnitedOxford United	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
21	SwanseaSwansea	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
22	WatfordWatford	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
23	DerbyDerby	1	0	0	1	1	3	-2	0
24	Sheffield UtdSheffield Utd	1	0	0	1	1	4	-3	0

One supporter has called for Selles to be sacked, but he proved at Hull City in 2024/25 that patience is a virtue and there should not be an overreaction to Saturday.

Cooper will be crucial to Sheffield United this season. Keeping him fit and between the posts is vital if they are to finish in the top six – something that may feel a bit away currently.

Nevertheless, the Championship has plenty of stories to tell over the course of the next nine months and the Blades will be involved in plenty of those.