Sheffield United set for anxious Jordan Ayew wait as forward hit by fresh fitness concern
Sheffield United will monitor Jordan Ayew during the international break after the Ghana forward was forced to withdraw from national-team duty following an MRI scan.
Sheffield United’s medical staff will monitor Jordan Ayew’s situation through the international break after the new boy had to leave the Ghana squad for their upcoming games. The 35-year-old signed for the Blades as a free agent earlier this month.
He has shown glimpses of his undoubted ability in his cameo appearances so far and went away with his country, for their games against the Ivory Coast and Gambia over the break, looking to build up his fitness with more playing time.
But an MRI scan diagnosed an unspecified issue after he joined up with the Black Stars national team, which saw him withdraw from the camp put together by Carlos Queiroz. Chris Wilder will be hoping that the issue is not a serious one, at a time when the Blades are close to some welcome injury boosts.
Ryan One and Harrison Burrows could be available after the international break with hope that Femi Seriki won’t be too far behind. Tahith Chong made his return from injury in Saturday’s defeat at Stoke.
Reports in Ghana suggested that Ayew turned down offers from Cyprus’ POEL Nicosia and Apollon Limassol prior to joining United, as an effective replacement for Callum O’Hare after he was prised away on deadline day.
They even suggest he took a big pay cut to join United after being released by Leicester City following their relegation to League One. Speaking to Asempa FM, Ghana football association president Kurt Okraku denied Ayew had turned down a call-up.
“But he has some medical challenges,” he added. “He flew all the way to Ghana, and you saw him in camp, and our doctor took him to a medical facility for an MRI, which detected his injury.
“Jordan Ayew has served the Black Stars for so many years. He’s extremely dedicated to the Black Stars. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the morning, afternoon or dawn, if you invite him, he’ll turn up.”
The absence of Ayew, who has scored 33 goals and added 20 assists in his 133 caps for Ghana so far, will be a big blow for Quieroz’s men, with Okraku not disclosing its nature or severity. He is one of seven key players to have withdrawn ahead of the AFCON qualifier double-header.