Paul Heckingbottom issues injury update over John Egan and Sheffield United teammates Enda Stevens, Sander Berge

Paul Heckingbottom, the Sheffield United manager, hopes to welcome back John Egan shortly after the influential Republic of Ireland centre-half stepped up his recovery from a toe injury he suffered earlier in the season.
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Egan has been out since February 15 after dislocating his toe away at West Ham United, meaning that for a time all three of United’s three first-choice centre-halves were all missing through injury.

With Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell also out, United have been forced to utilise wing-backs George Baldock and Enda Stevens at centre-half in recent weeks – although Stevens caused Heckingbottom another injury scare this week when he returned early from Republic of Ireland duty.

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But, revealing that Stevens should be “okay to train” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, Heckingbottom said of Egan: “He’s back in training and we’re hoping we can build him back up as quick as possible so he can play.

“It’ll be a case of building him up and then playing 90. Enda came back but he should be okay to train and Egs is coming back to be built up to playing 90 minutes.”

Heckingbottom revealed that Sander Berge is still working away from United in his recovery from a hamstring injury. The Norwegian midfielder was called up by his country for the recent internationals, despite being injured, and was pictured joining in training as he steps up his rehabilitation.

John Egan was injured at West Ham: David Klein/SportimageJohn Egan was injured at West Ham: David Klein/Sportimage
John Egan was injured at West Ham: David Klein/Sportimage

“Sander’s still a couple of weeks away,” Heckingbottom said.

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“He’s out on the grass building up his speed, he’s still doing his own personal rehab and once he’s back up to speed, we’ll be able to integrate him back with the squad.”

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