Exclusive:Sheffield United handed fresh injury timescale concern as key man faces race for pre-season
One of Sheffield United’s standout performers this season is facing a race to be fit for pre-season after the extent of a knee injury emerged.
Sheffield United hope that Andre Brooks will return to full fitness in time for the Blades’ vital pre-season programme, after the extent of the United starlet’s knee issue came to light this week. Brooks missed last weekend’s defeat to Preston North End through injury.
His absence was keenly felt, with his replacement Tahith Chong once again failing to convince after being handed an opportunity to impress, as United slipped to a 3-2 defeat to round off their home season in frustrating fashion.
It later transpired that Brooks damaged a medial collateral ligament in the latter stages of training the day before the clash with Paul Heckingbottom’s North End, and has been wearing a brace on his right knee since.
Sheffield United handed fresh injury timescale concern as key man faces race for pre-season
While the issue is not as serious as teammate Oliver Arblaster’s anterior cruciate ligament injury, which kept him out for more than a year, Brooks’ issue carries a typical recovery timeline of around two months.
The injury means he is the latest Blades player to see their season curtailed prematurely, after Michael Cooper and Tyrese Campbell (both knee) and Sam McCallum (ankle). Those three will be prescribed programmes for the close-season by United’s medical staff, but Brooks’ situation may be different given the freshness of his injury.
Brooks’ partnership down the right with fellow academy graduate Femi Seriki has been one of the plus points of United’s season, and helped him win the region’s young player of the year trophy at The Star’s annual football awards on Tuesday night.
“It’s been a tough season but on a personal note, I feel like I’ve done well,” he said. “Obviously there’s been the partnership with Femi, I’ve grown up with him through the youth ranks and it’s always good to play with him in the first team.”
Former Blades striker Carl Asaba, who presented Brooks with his award, said of the 22-year-old: “He's such an exciting young talent, and he's really established himself as a top Championship player.
“He's been a real credit to the academy and I know that, as a fan, I'm excited to watch him. And as an ex-professional, I admire how he goes about his job. It's really exciting.”