Sheffield United vs Barnsley confirmed teams: Paul Heckingbottom boosted as key players return

Sheffield United entertain Barnsley this afternoon in a Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane. The Blades are hoping to return to winning ways after just one point from their last two games.

Victory could also see United move as high as fourth in the Championship table and after back-to-back away trips, Paul Heckingbottom will certainly be looking for home comforts today. His side are unbeaten in their last nine matches at Bramall Lane and have not lost since a 1-0 defeat to Blackpool in October.

Today's game is also the last one before a much-needed two-week international break and Heckingbottom is urging his players to produce one last big effort to ensure they enter the period in good shape. He comes up against his former employers, who handed him his first senior job as manager when he replaced Lee Johnson in the Oakwell dugout and led his hometown club to promotion via the play-offs.

READ MORE: Paul Heckingbottom's promotion message ahead of Sheffield United derby with former club Barnsley

The visitors arrive having enjoyed an upturn in results under new manager Poya Asbaghi. Having gone 13 league matches without a win, his side have lost just two of their last eight and won four to give themselves a fighting chance in the bid to avoid relegation.

Heckingbottom has handed in his teamsheet and makes just one change to the team that drew at Blackpool in midweek. Conor Hourihane comes in for Iliman Ndiaye but in a piece of good news he is boosted by the return of three senior players to the bench with John Fleck, Oli McBurnie and Enda Stevens declared fit.

Here is how Sheffield United line-up.

Starting XI: Foderingham; Gordon, Egan, Robinson; Osborn, Berge, Norwood, Hourihane, Norrington-Davies; Gibbs-White, Sharp

Subs: A Davies, Stevens, Fleck, McBurnie, Ndiaye, Lopata, Jebbison

Barnsley: Collins; Styles, Andersen, Brittain, Morris, Gomes, Vita, Bassi, Quina, Helik, Wolfe

Subs: Walton, Kitching, Iseka, Palmer, Oduor, Halme, Cole

The game gets under way at 12:30pm and you can follow live updates and everything that happens from Bramall Lane on our matchday blog right here.