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Relief for Blades as keeper hands them an injury boost
SHEFFIELD United's Ian Bennett appears to have escaped serious injury after suffering a thumb problem at Barnsley earlier this week.
But while The Star understands that preliminary tests on the goalkeeper showed there were no broken bones, team mates Matthew Kilgallon and Andrew Davies face an anxious wait to discover whether they have become the latest victims of Bramall Lane's crippling injury crisis.
Like Bennett, Kilgallon was withdrawn midway through Monday's hard-fought draw at Oakwell.
Fellow defender Davies soldiered on despite receiving a heavy blow to a knee .
United manager Kevin Blackwell refused to elaborate on the players' conditions, instead revealing that doctors will perform further examinations shortly.
"Benno has had an x-ray and now we've got to see how they interpret it," Blackwell said.
"Davies is going to have an MRI scan which should tell us exactly what is wrong.
"Killa has not had anything done yet because the swelling around the ankle is too great.
"We've got to wait for that to go down before anyone takes a look.
"The normal procedure is that he'll have a scan within 48 hours of the incident."
Although Bennett's diagnosis might yet be reversed, news that he could be declared available for selection when Peterborough visit Bramall Lane next weekend will be welcomed by Blackwell, who only has one other 'keeper - Mark Bunn - on his roster after allowing Justin Haber to join sister club Ferencvaros on loan.
United had planned to take part in a exhibition game in Syria during the international break but are now expected to concentrate on treating the walking wounded at their Shirecliffe training complex.
Speaking immediately after Bennett was withdrawn, Blackwell said: "We put a ball in his hand during the interval and he just couldn't grip it properly.
"We're not sure exactly what is wrong or how long he will be out."
Meanwhile, United's reserve team fixture against Derby County this afternoon has been moved from Sheffield FC to Bramall Lane. (2pm).
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
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