Weekend Briefing: Ins, outs and injury doubts for this week's matches

Ins, outs and injury doubts for the weekend's matches in the Premier League and EFL.

Boost for the Blades

Good news has been in short supply for Sheffield United this season but Chris Wilder received some positive news this week with three players – Lys Mousset (ankle), Enda Stevens (knee) and Ethan Ampadu (hip) – in contention to rejoin the squad for Sunday's Premier League clash at Southampton.

Mousset was injured during last Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester but it seems to be only a minor issue.

Wilder said: "We've got to see how Lys comes through this week, we're hoping it will clear up pretty quickly and he'll be back sooner rather than later."

Left-back Stevens was injured while on international duty with Ireland last month, while Ampadu has missed the last three weeks.

Rooney left to rue major injury blow

It has been a solid start to management for Wayne Rooney, who has steered struggling Derby to one win and three draws but Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Brentford came at a cost with key central defender Curtis Davies suffering an injury which threatens to rule him out for a lengthy spell.

Rooney was concerned over the condition of Davies, who left the pitch on a stretcher in the 64th minute after appearing to sustain a serious ankle injury.

The Rams interim manager said: "He has been fantastic for us certainly over the last few games. He has showed his experience and been a leader for us.

"Hopefully it is not as bad as feared, on the other hand it is an opportunity for someone to come in and try to stake a claim to start.”

Rooney must also plan for Saturday's clash at home to Stoke without midfielder Graeme Shinnie after the 29-year-old picked up his fifth booking of the season, triggering a one-game-ban.

Mixed news for Norwich

Norwich manager Daniel Farke has got used to operating with a depleted squad and could be without 11 players for Saturday's clash at Blackburn despite Todd Cantwell (hip) and Jordan Hugill (shoulder) returning to the fold.

Cantwell came off the bench during Tuesday's 2-1 success at home to Nottingham Forest and made the assist for Emi Buendia's 77th-minute winning goal.

Hugill was an unused substitute but Przemyslaw Placheta (hamstring) and Ben Gibson (calf) have joined Lukas Rupp, Sam Byram (both hamstring), Xavi Quintilla (hip), Onel Hernandez (groin), Tim Krul (thigh), Kieran Dowell (ankle), Kenny McLean, Bali Mumba and Adam Idah (all knee) on the absentee list.

McLean is back in training but may need time to build up his match fitness.

Stoke looking stretched

Stoke could have gone top of the Championship on Tuesday but a 2-1 loss at home to Cardiff leaves them eighth going into the weekend and preparations for Saturday's trip to Derby are complicated by an injury to top scorer Tyrese Campbell (knee) who has joined a lengthy absentee list.

Nick Powell shrugged off a knock to start against Cardiff but Sam Clucas, Danny Batth failed to recover from injuries sustained last weekend and have joined Adam Davies, Steven Fletcher (both knee), Angus Gunn, Jordan Thompson (both ankle), John Obi Mikel (calf), Joe Allen (Achilles) and Lee Gregory (groin) in a crowded treatment room.

Harry Souttar has been self-isolating after his partner tested positive for Covid-19.

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