Absent Sheffield United star’s defiant message after heartbreaking injury

Norrington-Davies’ hopes of being included in former Blade Rob Page’s squad for the upcoming tournament were dashed by a serious hamstring injury the wing-back picked up at Coventry City.

The 23-year-old was subsequently omitted from Wales’ squad for their first World Cup finals since 1958, with club boss Paul Heckingbottom challenging Norrington-Davies to help ensure he features in more major tournaments for his country in the future.

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And the player posted on his Instagram page: “I’d like to take this time to thank every one of you for your support recently. Injuries are unfortunately part of the beautiful game we all love. I’ll be back and more hungry than before.”

Norrington-Davies was showing his best form since breaking into the first-team picture and an almost certainty to make Page's squad, with his versatility another important attribute. "He's put a brave face on; he's been fantastic around the players and really good in and around the place," Heckingbottom told The Star. "Straight away, he was at the next game and in the dressing room with the lads. He's been fantastic.

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"But I know it's a brave face. When I'm chatting with him, he knows he's got to be positive now. There's no point looking back. It should give him the hunger and the drive. In his mind, it should be like: 'When's the next one?' All he can do is put himself forward and try and help him get to another one."