Sheffield United injury latest as Clark, Stevens, Osborn, Robinson and Fleck detailed

May 03, 2023

The Blades have a number of players on the recovery trail

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Paul Heckingbottom is hopeful he will see some of his injured defenders back next month as they continue their rehabilitation.

The Blades boss has welcomed Jayden Bogle into the squad following his return from knee surgery, while goalkeeper Adam Davies is nearing a return to the matchday squad having played 90 minutes for the under 21s in midweek.

Anel Ahmedhodzic has added to the Sheffield United injury list having struggled with a thigh problem and although Bogle and Davies have added some cheer to the manager on that front, he is not expecting anyone else back soon.

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However, he does report progress is being made.

Jack Robinson is progressing having suffered a medial ligament injury in training, while Ben Osborn is also on the comeback trail from a foot injury.

John Fleck's fracture is thought to be healing well, but Ciaran Clark and Enda Stevens have needed more scans.

Before the international break, assistant manager Stuart McCall said the bunch were expected to be around four to five weeks, placing them in the middle to end of October.

Heckingbottom said that was the case and it's now about each player's response during the final stages.

He told Yorkshire Live: "It's how they respond now. Robbo's was a medial injury, so it will be how he responds during that last little bit, the tackling and the kicking.

"Adam Davies is running now and with him being a keeper it's more the kicking rather than the twisting and turning, there's not the tackling there, whereas with Robbo, a big part of his game is the physical contact that will be the deciding factor.

"Ossie [Osborn] is a strange injury. Someone stood on his foot and it's the ligament in the top of the foot which is all about weight bearing. He's progressing well but he will still be in discomfort when he's available to play and come back, so it will be about how do we manage that?

"Ciaran has had another scan, still not great, but there is healing there. Enda is going for another one [Friday]. We know they are progressing because they are symptom free now, so no reason to think that has changed.

"Fleck has been for an X-ray this week and once that fracture has healed that will be it. He will be ready to go in terms of moving him on.

"Straight-forward breaks like that are generally the least complicated. Bones generally heal stronger than before they were broken. There was no need for surgery.

"I am hoping [return date] before the World Cup."

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