Why Wigan Athletic boss Paul Cook '˜can't grasp' Sheffield United's decision on Lee Evans

The Wales international is on loan at Wigan Athletic - who visit Bramall Lane tomorrow - with the deal set to become permanent early next year.

Interestingly, United allowed another of their players out on loan, Ryan Leonard, to play against them for Millwall.

But they have blocked Evans from facing them tomorrow - a decision which has baffled Latics manager Cook.

He said: “Sheffield United have ruled Lee out for some unknown reason.

“It’s to do with a loan situation that I still can’t grasp. He’s our player, so I don’t grasp that. I don’t know why Leonard was allowed to play for Millwall and Evans isn’t for us, I physically can’t get my head around that, but that’s one for Chris WIlder and Sheffield United

“We’re in the process of paying for Lee, so I don’t grasp that. But that’s football.

“Lee is our player, Leonard is Millwall’s player. Leonard plays, Lee doesn’t. I don’t grasp it.”

Asked whether he thought the situation was fair, Cook replied: “I don’t really want to go into it, because my version of it will be totally different from Sheffield United’s, and I don’t want to be drawn into that.

“The decision has been made, All be it, I don’t grasp it.”

Evans’ unavailability has been compounded by the fact Nick Powell is “probably” going to miss the trip through injury.

Key players Will Grigg, Michael Jacobs and Gavin Massey are sidelined until the new year.