Sheffield United assistant manager Mickey Collins has explained that Harrison Burrows was left out of Tuesday's pre-season friendly against Huddersfield Town as a precautionary measure, rather than due to a specific injury being disclosed. The decision opened the door for Sam McCallum, who is working his way back from an ankle injury sustained in January, to start at left-back and stake his claim ahead of the new season.

Collins compared Burrows' situation to a similar recent case involving Ryan Oné, saying the full-back should be back involved within "a week or so", and stressed the club is keen to avoid unnecessary risks during pre-season while still building players' fitness. McCallum impressed by scoring for the second successive match, prompting Collins to welcome the emerging competition between him and Burrows for the starting left-back shirt as United prepare for their Championship campaign opener against Birmingham City, following an earlier fixture against Mansfield Town.