As many as 10 senior players missed the trip to Preston North End last time out, with star man Anel Ahmedhodzic subsequently joining the Blades’ walking wounded after an update from the Bosnian FA this morning, and it is a testament to the strength of the Blades’ squad these days that they remain top of the table.
But boss Paul Heckingbottom has admitted he’s never known anything like the number of serious impact injuries his players have picked up so far this season, with Ahmedhodzic the latest to suffer.
“The fixture list does compound it, because you pick up more injuries and I’d expect the ones with the muscles because you’re pushing in pre-season and there’ll be a bit of fatigue when the games start,” Heckingbottom said recently.
“But there’s some real strange impact injuries, and some serious ones. I’ve known nothing like it, in terms of the impact stuff and we could do without it.”
Two clear weeks for the international break could help some of the injured players return soon, while some are more long-term. Here’s a round-up of the Blades’ walking wounded, and an indication of when they may be available for selection again…
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1. The Blades' walking wounded
Sheffield United fitness coach Lee McMahon has had his work cut out of late treating injured stars including Ciaran Clark and Enda Stevens: Simon Bellis/Sportimage Photo: Simon Bellis
2. Anel Ahmedhodzic (CB)
One of United's star men so far this season will miss "at least four weeks" after damaging a thigh muscle, according to an update from the Bosnian FA this morning with the 23-year-old set to miss his country's clashes with Monenegro and Romania over the international break Photo: Simon Bellis
3. Jack O’Connell (CB)
Still recuperating from two knee operations, O’Connell is continuing his rehabilitation in the gym but has been left out of United’s EFL squad list, suggesting he is still some way off a return Photo: Lexy Ilsley
4. Adam Davies (GK)
Missing after damaging medial ligaments in his knee in pre-season, United will hope to have their back-up goalkeeper back in the squad before the winter break Photo: Simon Bellis