Injuries mounting up for unlucky Sheffield United

John Fleck could be out of action for up to six weeks, Chris Wilder has confirmed, describing the midfielder’s loss as a “another blow” for his Sheffield United side ahead of Saturday’s visit to Liverpool.
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Speaking after watching his side draw 1-1 with Fulham - a result which saw both teams secure their first point of the new Premier League season - Wilder revealed Fleck had missed the game due to a back injury sustained on international duty with Scotland last week.

With Max Lowe suffering a concussion during the opening period of the meeting with Scott Parker’s side - the defender is also now set to miss the game at Anfield - the United manager admitted Fleck had been due to start against the Londoners, before Bramall Lane’s medical department discovered the full extent of his problem.

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“John was down to play, we talked to John after our last game and told him he needed to get back up to speed and that I needed him in the team,” Wilder said. “We agreed that was the way to go.

Max Lowe of Sheffield United leaves the pitch injured during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane. Andrew Yates/SportimageMax Lowe of Sheffield United leaves the pitch injured during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane. Andrew Yates/Sportimage
Max Lowe of Sheffield United leaves the pitch injured during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane. Andrew Yates/Sportimage

“He then went up the road with Scotland, and was pencilled in to play here. It’s a small place on his back and the medics here told us he was so unfortunate, so unlucky, to fall on it right where he did.

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“So four to six weeks without John is another blow we’ll just have to take on the chin.”

Wilder made three changes to his starting eleven for the clash with Fulham, who saw Aleksander Mitrovic miss a penalty before Billy Sharp drew United level following Ademola Lookman’s opener.

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One of those saw Lowe, a summer signing from Derby County, make his league debut for at wing-back - with End Stevens switching to centre-half in Jack O’Connell’s absence. But the experiment proved short-lived, after Lowe was deemed unfit to continue following an accidental collision with Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

“Max has got a concussion,” Wilder said. “So that’s another awful blow for us. He had blurred vision and he couldn’t carry on.”

United’s next match comes in the shape of champions Liverpool, next Saturday night.