Woodburn ‘not special case’, say the Blades
SHEFFIELD United maintain Ben Woodburn is “not a special case” after allowing the Wales youngster to return to Liverpool at the weekend.
Woodburn lined up for the Reds’ under-23s in their 3-2 home Premier League 2 defeat to Derby County on Sunday, despite being on a season-long loan at the Blades.
The 19-year-old then travelled back to Sheffield United as they prepare for their Championship clash against Stoke City tonight.
Liverpool have an option to recall Woodburn from his loan, but are presently happy with the player’s situation.
And Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said: “Ben’s not a special case at all; we’ve got seven or eight players in the same boat, who can’t get in the team, and he’s no different because he’s come from Liverpool.
“He’s a talent, we understand he’s a good player, and he’s not done anything wrong. Just as the boys who have been playing haven’t done anything wrong, either.”
Woodburn hasn’t featured for Sheffield United – who stand second in the Championship – since September 19 and was an unused substitute for Wales last week for the friendly at home to Spain and the UEFA Nations League clash against Republic of Ireland.
And explaining the decision to allow Woodburn to briefly return to Liverpool, Wilder said: “Ben’s been away with the national squad and didn’t get any minutes there, so we felt it was important that he keeps playing football.
”And there was an opportunity to get him some minutes. He can do all the running he likes up here in training, but there’s nothing like game action and there was an opportunity to get him 65 minutes or so.”
Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Wilder added: “We were keen, Liverpool were keen and Ben was back with us today.
“It’s always an option for Ben to play for our U23s or their U23s, or in a bounce game - we try to arrange them where we can because players who aren’t playing, because the team is settled, still need match time and action.”