Sheffield United could be set for a major selection boost as they prepare for a crucial run of Premier League games

The duo have spent the past week performing a series of exercises at the Steelphalt Academy, after being granted permission to step up their recoveries by medical staff.

Mousset has been out of action since the summer, when a challenge during a pre-season friendly against Preston North End resulted in him undergoing surgery to repair damage to a foot. Fleck hurt his back after falling awkwardly whilst on duty with Scotland during the last international break, but like Mousset has been pictured running, seemingly without discomfort, at United’s training complex in Shirecliffe.

Although Chris Wilder initially feared neither player would return to action until Christmas, the United manager has since revised his prediction following a series of consultations with the Premier League club’s physiotherapy department. Indeed, speaking earlier this month, he revealed there is a slim possibility that one or both could be available for selection when United return to action against West Ham next weekend. Tellingly, however, Wilder confirmed he would resist the temptation to select either player unless he was “absolutely” convinced they were “100 per cent ready”.

Despite admitting that would represent a gamble - United are bottom of the table having taken only a point from their opening eight matches of the new campaign - Wilder’s refusal to take a risk with either Mousset or Fleck stems from his belief that his team’s results do not reflect performance levels and the knowledge that, barring a dramatic shift in the competition’s balance of power, they must prepare for a long and gruelling battle to avoid relegation.

Mousset, aged 24, has been described as a “game changer” by Wilder, despite frustrating United’s coaching staff with his general fitness levels of late. The Frenchman was clearly out of shape when he took part in the meeting against North End but Wilder’s decision to adopt a more diplomatic tone when discussing Mousset’s situation in recent weeks suggests he has taken steps to alleviate those concerns.

Fleck, meanwhile, is destined to join Scotland at next summer’s European Championships after his United team mate Oli McBurnie scored a penalty during Thursday’s play-off win over Serbia in Belgrade.

Being able to draw upon the former Rangers midfielder’s services would be a major boost for Wilder as he seeks to bring more consistency to his team selections over the coming weeks - citing that as a factor behind a poor start which has seen Jack O’Connell ruled-out for the rest of the season.

“We’ve not had the opportunity to do that,” Wilder said following United’s defeat by Chelsea six days ago. “It’s not through the want of trying, because we’ve had more issues than I’ve possibly ever had to contend with since taking over. But in the past, when we’ve been at our best, we’ve always had that (consistency) in our picks and our game. It’s something we’re looking to bring back.”

Fleck featured in all but eight of United’s matches in the league last season, as they finished ninth in the table only a year after being promoted from the Championship.

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