Sheffield United are braced for yet more disruption as Covid-19 pandemic continues

Chris Wilder has warned the Covid-19 pandemic could be set to cause more disruption to Sheffield United’s season, after a number of positive cases were discovered at the club’s Steelphalt Academy training complex.
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Billy Sharp and Phil Jagielka were found to have contracted the respiratory disease before Christmas, alongside several members of his backroom and coaching staff - one of whom was admitted to hospital for treatment.

United underwent their latest round of testing before Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Bristol Rovers and although everyone screened received a clean bill of health, Wilder appears to believe it is inevitable more people connected to Bramall Lane will test positive as a new more transmissible strain of the coronavirus continues to sweep through the country.

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As The Star revealed last week, the Premier League has beefed-up its social distancing protocols as part of a scheme to avoid another pause to the fixture calendar following March’s nationwide lockdown.

“It’s a test by test scenario at the moment, you can probably imagine,” Wilder, whose side face Newcastle in the Premier League tomorrow night, said. “With what’s happening up and down the country, with some Premier League teams closing their training areas and having to call off games, you can see what’s happening.

“We’ve got no divine right here not to pick up the virus. Hopefully we won’t though, and I’ve got to say the work the medical people here are doing is brilliant.”

“We haven’t been hit as hard as some,” Wilder added. “Some clubs have been hit really hard by the virus, but we have been depleted.”

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Sharp and Jagielka are available for selection against Steve Bruce’s side after appearing on the bench last weekend. But United are set to use both sparingly, as they continue their recoveries from the respiratory disease despite being cleared to resume work.

Billy Sharp (L) was diagnosed with Covid-19 ahead of Sheffield United's visit to Burnley: Andrew Yates/SportimageBilly Sharp (L) was diagnosed with Covid-19 ahead of Sheffield United's visit to Burnley: Andrew Yates/Sportimage
Billy Sharp (L) was diagnosed with Covid-19 ahead of Sheffield United's visit to Burnley: Andrew Yates/Sportimage

Speaking during the club’s latest pre-match media briefing, as United look to secure their first league win of the campaign by beating the visitors from the North-East, Wilder described the competition’s stricter restrictions as challenging but necessary. They include spot checks inside dressing rooms by Covid-19 compliance officers and ensuring substitutes wear face masks unless warming-up. Clinical passports are also being issued, which must be carried at training grounds.

Earlier this month, Steve Bruce, Wilder’s counterpart at St James’ Park, admitted it felt “morally wrong” for football to continue during the latest phase of the pandemic when other sectors across the country have been shut down. Wilder has stated he is willing to be guided by scientists and experts, praising the work those tasked with protecting United are performing behind the scenes.

"I see other clubs struggling with it and of course there are Premier League protocols in place,” Bruce, whose own team has been hit by the disease, said. “But when you leave the training ground you are in the outside world. The speed in which it ripped through us is something other football clubs will be looking at because it is difficult to contain and stop.”

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"Financially, it’s right to play on,” Bruce added. “But for me, morally it’s wrong. We are just as vulnerable as anyone else.”

Phil Jagielka also tested positive for the virus at Sheffield United's training complex but is also now fit to play: Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty ImagesPhil Jagielka also tested positive for the virus at Sheffield United's training complex but is also now fit to play: Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images
Phil Jagielka also tested positive for the virus at Sheffield United's training complex but is also now fit to play: Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images

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