Ruben Selles closing in on key Sheffield United arrival as Blades...

The Blades get a fitness boost before the new season, and Ruben Selles is getting closer to a crucial Sheffield United arrival.

Even though it will be off the pitch rather than on it, Ruben Selles is optimistic that he will add another important

member to his Sheffield United team before the new season begins. Earlier this summer, the Spaniard took over as

Blades manager from Chris Wilder, bringing in dependable employees James Oliver-Pearce and Toby Loveland.

Matt Prestridge, Alan Knill, and Jack Lester followed Wilder out the exit door, indicating that Selles also intended to

add another coach to his staff. Although Micky Collins and Matt Duke remained at United, Selles still felt his staff

was a figure light, with a foreign coach lined up to complement the existing backroom staff.

But that process has been hampered by the same administrative issues that have delayed United’s progress in the

transfer market, with admittance to the UK for work purposes a much less straightforward process following the

UK’s exit from the European Union back in January 2020.

Djibril Soumare, the Braga midfielder, has been caught up in the red tape as he prepares to make the initial loan

move to Bramall Lane ahead of the new season, while United will continue to scour foreign markets as they look to

put the finishing touches to Selles’ squad.

Ruben Selles closing in on key Sheffield United arrival as Blades receive fitness boost ahead of new season

“It’s an ongoing situation,” Selles said of the coach search. “We have the candidate, we are just making the

paperwork but it is the same situation with some players. Sometimes it’s not easy just to get coaches from abroad,

and we are still making the paperwork for that to happen.”

United, meanwhile, have been handed an availability boost ahead of August 9’s season opener at home to Bristol City

after confirmation that skipper Jack Robinson’s injury is not as bad as first feared.

The former Liverpool player was not included in the team that played Chesterfield this past weekend after hobbling

off just before halftime of United’s friendly against Burton Albion last midweek. However, after being evaluated, he

might be able to participate in United’s final warm-up match this weekend, which will take place behind closed doors

against a Premier League team.

On Saturday, Selles stated, “He will be around seven days, so he should be available in the middle of next week with

us.” “We are taking care of the foot overload, and he should return on Monday with the recovery specialists and

officials.” Additionally, he should resume training with us around the middle of next week.