Bad News: Another Injury Updates As Sheffield United Player Suffer On Injury

Paul Heckingbottom has his fingers crossed for some good news on the injury front for two of his players when they return home, while he’s also been encouraged by the way Oli McBurnie has reacted to a foot injury that he picked up early into their pre-season tour to Portugal.

The striker was in a protective boot initially, but was walking much better two days later. The injury kept him out of the goalless draw with Estoril on Wednesday.

Heckingbottom is unsure at this stage how serious it is and how long he will be out but hopes it is not as bad as it first looked.

“Honestly don’t know [how long],” he said. “Pleased with the initial way he has reacted in the last couple of days because he was in a cast when he first did it to take the weight off it. Another Injury Updates: Sheffield United Player Suffer On Injury
Paul Heckingbottom on Chris Francis as Sheffield United encouraged by Iliman Ndiaye path

“Hopefully, he is on top of things.”

Two Sheffield United players who are on the road to recovery are Rhian Brewster and Rhys Norrington-Davies. Both players suffered serious hamstring injuries in the first part of last season and missed the remaining part of the campaign.

Brewster appeared further on in his rehabilitation. He was stepping up his recovery with a ball at his feet, taking part in running and shooting drills.

Both are in the post-rehab stage and were on the grass in Portugal doing individualised programmes. The Blades boss does not have a timescale for when they will be able to return to full training with the rest of the group.

It’s pointless asking as players recover at different stages, so he’s waiting to be told he’s got the green light, which he thinks is likely to come for Brewster first.

“I want to get Rhian involved as quickly as possible because he is that little bit further on in terms of post [rehab] stuff, warm-up, passing things like that and take that next step,” he added. “I will take them as and when they get released to us.

“I haven’t asked the question of when, I just want them as soon as possible.”

Two players who haven’t made the trip have been Jayden Bogle and Ismaila Coulibaly. Both are nursing knee issues after suffering swelling.

They were due to see the specialist yesterday, which will provide Heckingbottom and his coaching staff with more of an idea about how serious and what action is needed.

He now has to hope for some good news when he returns.

He said: “We’ll see when we get back. They were seeing the specialist on Wednesday.

“Hopefully, it’s not too serious, but it was enough to investigate and make sure we are not going to do any damage and if there is something that needed doing we would want to do it sooner rather than later.

“Hopefully, they can be treated and managed carefully, without any serious issues. I’m looking forward to getting back and hopefully getting some good news on how they are progressing.

“Both are knee injuries, their knees have swelled up.”