SHEFFIELD United manager Chris Wilder has confirmed that striker Patrick Bamford is unlikely to feature in Monday night's Championship home game with his former club Middlesbrough with an ankle injury.

Bamford, who has impressed since linking up with Wilder, initially on a short-term contract until the deal was extended, picked up the issue in training.

Wilder said: "He took a heavy knock to his ankle. We're waiting for the swelling to come down and (will) give him as much time as possible. But I don't think he'll train for the next two or three days.

"There's no structural issue, but obviously he's going to be a major, major doubt for Monday night, which is disappointing.

Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford. Picture: Jake Youle / Sportimage

placeholder image — Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford. Picture: Jake Youle / Sportimage

"From a tactical point of view, you can see how important Pat's been, having a target at the top of the pitch. Especially when a team plays a low block, 5-4, so you can go into him as well.

"Not that Middlesbrough are going to do that, but you want your best players on the pitch and your more experienced ones on the pitch.

"It's disappointing. You just have to wait to see regarding inflammation and swelling and IT settling it down and then start working on it and let the physios do their job and we've got some big games coming up.

"The sooner we get him back, the better because he's been integral for me in the way we play. Off the pitch, he's been outstanding and on it."

Sheffield United new signing Kalvin Phillips is introduced to the crowd before the Sheffield United vs Oxford United Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis / Sportimage

Clarifying the length of absence regarding Sam McCallum, who was stretchered off with a knee injury at Millwall last weekend, Wilder said: "10 weeks, he's going to have a minor operation. They put a little wire in his ligaments to knit that together and then he starts his rehab.

"So, if we can get something out of Sammy before the end of the season, that'd be a big bonus."

Midfield duo Kalvin Phillips and Joe Rothwell joined the club on deadline day and Wilder tempered any expectation that the former will be in a position to start games for a couple of weeks.

On Phillips, he said: "Obviously he hasn't played any (league) minutes at all (at Man City this season). I think we all understand the difference between playing, training games and playing competitive games. It's not an easy team to get in (as well), obviously.

"He was involved in one of the cup games. So basically he hasn't played any match minutes, but physically he's okay. We've had our eyes on him over the last 48 hours since he came through the door.

"We've had some great feedback from Manchester City. I appreciate that from their medical and sports science departments. Really good feedback from Ipswich Town too.

"We've got some close connections there from staff to staff. I have spoken about him from a personality point of view and my sort of relationship with him.

"So, do I think he'll start a game in the next two or three? Possibly not, but him to be in and around the changing room, in the squad and on the bench is a huge bonus and a massive lift to the players and a marker to the players that we will bring some good players in."

On United's transfer work in the round in the winter window, he continued: "I think our window has been pretty good. I would say eight and a half out of ten.

"We lost Sammy. We moved quickly for Leo (Hjelde). We're delighted with that one.

"Joe's somebody that we've chased for a long time. Getting him on a permanent is huge for next season. We're delighted with that one.

"Ki-Jana (Hoever) has been brought into the building and Jairo (Riedewald) and Pat as well. So, I think you can put those two boys in the category of our January window as well, even though Jairo and Pat came obviously earlier."