Puzzle over absence of Che Adams at Burton for Sheffield United

Blades chief Nigel Adkins revealed that the young striker missed the game due to disciplinary reasons following a breach of club discipline after the weekend derby win over Doncaster Rovers.

Adkins refused to do into specific details regarding the matter, which will be kept in-house, while confirming that Adams will be back in the fray for the weekend trip to Port Vale.

Adkins said: “Che was not involved because, from my point of view, he chose to deselect himself over the weekend.

“It’s a minor thing but he needs to learn from it and I’m sure he has.

“We’ll keep it ‘in-house’ because it’s about educating players and them understanding what we expect from professionals.

“Maybe, over the weekend, he’s not quite lived up to that.”

On the stalemate, Adkins felt the result was fair enough, although he was disappointed with the quality of set-pieces from his side.

Adkins, whose side stay sixth in League One, added: “It could have gone either way, although we have only had one shot that Mark (Howard) has had to deal with.

“We had a few opportunities and a penalty shout in the first half that was not given and the referee has not really given much throughout the game.

“But it made for a good game and it was end to end at times.

“We knew that they would be defensively resolute because that’s what they have been. But at times, we created the opportunities we were looking to do with some goof play.

“But at this moment in time, we have come away with the league leaders with a point and a clean sheet.”