History-making Sheffield United striker reflects on 11-month injury nightmare after return

Antwoine Hackford, the Sheffield United history maker, described his 11-month injury absence as the hardest thing he has ever had to go through after making a long-awaited return to the pitch earlier this week.

Hackford, who became United’s youngest-ever Premier League player when he made his debut away at Crystal Palace at just 16 years of age, had his development stunted when he suffered an ACL injury last year, shortly after signing his first professional deal with the club. Months of tough rehabilitation followed before he made a return for United’s U21s earlier this week in a narrow defeat to Crystal Palace, coming off the bench in the second half.

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“The feeling of stepping back onto the pitch after 11 months out because of a ACL injury,” Hackford wrote on social media. “Mentally and physically the hardest thing I’ve had to go through but I’ve gotten to the end of it and I’m more than happy to be back with the team.”

Hackford was also called up to the England U17 squad for a four-day training camp before he was injured, not long after completing his GCSEs at Sheffield's Springs Academy, and was included in United’s senior pre-season squad before the start of the last campaign.

His development has been advanced by playing in the age group above – he made his debut for United’s U18s at 14 years old, and he played for the U23s at 15 – and impressed the Blades coaches enough to be handed professional terms last year. Now, he will be out to make up for lost time.

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