Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says forwards Kion Etete and Isaak Davies are inching towards returns for the Bluebirds.
The forwards, who have yet to play this season, have both suffered setbacks having been expected back in October following hamstring injuries.
Etete was named in the starting line-up for the Bluebirds’ in their Premier League Cup match against Watford on Thursday, 19 December as Cardiff won 3-1.
Wales Under-21s striker Davies is also nearing a return having started running.
However, defender Perry Ng and midfielder Ollie Tanner remain sidelined with injury and they have been joined by forward Michael Reindorf prior to Saturday’s visit from Championship leaders Sheffield United.
“Michael Reindorf went down injured today. He hurt his ankle and I’m not sure the extent of that yet,” Riza told BBC Sport Wales.
“The others, Isaak is starting to do some running on the pitch and we will hopefully incorporate him in football stuff over the next week. Kion will be getting minutes with the under-21s and all the rest are either long-standing or medium-term.
“Perry Ng is still not quite there yet. Ollie Tanner the same. We are a bit thin at the moment, but all the boys are ready to go into the game confident and with fighting spirit.”