Chris Wilder confirms devastating extent of Femi Seriki injury blow as Sheffield United’s poor day compounded
Chris Wilder confirms devastating extent of Femi Seriki injury blow as Sheffield United’s poor day compounded
Femi Seriki suffered a season-ending injury in Sheffield United’s defeat at Charlton Athletic this afternoon, Chris Wilder confirmed, as the Blades boss took aim at “uneducated” home fans who couldn’t see the obvious strife the Blades full-back was in.
Seriki had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes when he went down in obvious discomfort, with United teammates immediately calling for medical attention.
The initial signs didn’t look good and Wilder confirmed the worst after the game, which the home side won in the 79th minute through Matty Godden’s close-range volley.
“I thought straight away,” Wilder said of Seriki, who had only recently returned from a knee injury that he suffered earlier in the season at Blackburn Rovers. “There were some educated supporters behind us, shouting and bawling when he went down. Which I think is what it is. Uneducated.
“I think everybody who knows football knew straight away what had gone off. Players around him and most people supporters-wise as well. I suppose that's a season-ending injury.
“I talked to the doc straight away and he said it's a patella tendon rupture, so a season-ending injury. It's a big blow for Femi coming back. He’s a young player, but we've got to deal with it.
“He'll get the best medical attention, and we’ll get him back and get him ready.”
United had drawn level at 1-1 through Jordan Ayew’s first for the club, and could have nicked a point in the last minute of extra time when Sydie Peck forced a superb save from Will Mannion.
“We didn’t fold,” Wilder added. “I think you always look at the reaction of supporters as well. I'm gutted for them because they turned up and they built momentum as well through our performances.
“I think they realised we'd pushed. But I'm not hiding behind that. I'm just telling people that it's a really disappointing day and result. And the biggest loss for us is a talented footballer out for a season.
“So, players have obviously got around Femi in the medical room and he'll get our full support from players, staff and supporters to get on that road to recovery.
“He’s sat in there and it's going to be a lonely few months for him because he wants to play. He's worked hard to get himself back from a knee injury at Blackburn and we were looking forward to him. So, it's a big blow for us, but an even bigger one for him.”