'Promising' - Key injury round-up of Sheffield United stars ahead of Cardiff City trip as McBurnie, Fleck, Doyle chances rated

Both McBurnie and Fleck were seen wearing a protective boot in the fall-out from the midweek defeat, while Ahmedhodzic came off after complaining of feeling ill and Doyle was not risked with a calf issue. McBurnie rolled his ankle after jumping for a header and while Heckingbottom initially thought Fleck’s issue was a calf one, he later clarified that the Scottish midfielder took a whack on the site of his recently-healed broken leg.

“He took a whack where his break was, but the information from the pitch was pointing at his calf,” Heckingbottom said. “It was a glancing blow and he felt it but the initial scan was positive, we just need to investigate it a little bit further. It was sore but the initial scan is positive.”

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Heckingbottom reported similar positive news on McBurnie, admitting he is hopeful that the striker, Fleck and Ahmedhodzic will be fit to face City. "We’ve kept Anel away from the players today,” the manager said. “Tommy's progressing daily so we're still hopeful but it'll depend how he is tomorrow; we’re giving him every chance.

"It'll depend if he can perform for us for any length of time, we're juggling subs and people who aren't 100 per cent. It will be, can he perform properly for us for any length of time and weighing it against the potential downfalls. We've gone for so long for these boys, the biggest priority is having as many bodies fit when we come back.”

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Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle have returned to training, as has Ismaila Coulibaly. “Lowey’s further on than Jayden, and Sander [Berge] is similar,” Heckingbottom said. “Izzy as well. We’re happy with where they are. The next step is the big one in getting them playing.”

Rhian Brewster and Rhys Norrington-Davies won’t be fit immediately after the World Cup break, which begins for United after the trip to Wales. “They’ll be back when they’re fit,” Heckingbottom said. “We could put a timescale on it, but not one has gone to plan yet.”

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