Sheffield United factor a set-back into Sander Berge's recovery programme

Berge, who Chris Wilder wants to remain at Bramall Lane this summer even if United are relegated from the Premier League, required an operation to reattach the tendon to its bone after sustaining the damage during December’s game against Manchester United.

The 23-year-old has not featured since, joining the likes of Jack O’Connell, John Egan and Chris Basham in a treatment room which has become so crowded that Wilder recently described the situation as “unprecedented”.

Although United had hoped Berge would return to action before the end of the campaign, that situation could change if medical staff are forced to redraft his rehabilitation programme.

That happened with O’Connell earlier this year, when Wilder revealed the centre-half had been granted a short leave of absence when it was discovered his injured knee was not healing as planned.

The situation has now been addressed, with O’Connell watching his team mates in action when Southampton visited Bramall Lane last weekend. Privately, however, they concede there is a strong chance of something similar happening with Berge - particularly as players with similar conditions frequently suffer minor strains when they step-up their training regimes.

The loss of Berge, who was beginning to display the type of form which persuaded United to pay Genk £22m for his services 14 months ago, dealt a blow to their hopes of retaining top-flight status. They enter Sunday’s match against Leicester City 12 points adrift of safety.

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