Sheffield United: Michael Cooper injury latest as Chris Wilder makes Adam Davies point ahead of vital QPR clash
Sheffield United: Michael Cooper injury latest as Chris Wilder makes Adam Davies point ahead of vital QPR clash
Michael Cooper is a doubt for Sheffield United’s clash with Queens Park Rangers tomorrow, Chris Wilder has admitted, as the goalkeeper battles to recover from a back issue that forced him off in Tuesday’s defeat at Coventry City. Cooper made way at the break with the Blades 1-0 ahead.
His replacement, Welsh international Adam Davies, had a tough time of it in the second half, conceding soon after coming on and then making an error with his punch for Bobby Thomas’ crucial second. City then broke away for a late third which put the game to bed and sentenced United to a third defeat on the spin.
Getting Cooper fit for this weekend’s clash with Julien Stéphan’s side was therefore seen as crucial to United’s hopes of addressing that run of form ahead of the international break, with the small matter of a Steel City derby against rivals Wednesday on the horizon.
But Wilder, speaking on the eve of the game in his pre-match press conference, admitted: “Yeah, he's doubtful. To come off in such a big game, in the manner that he did, and seeing him at half-time ... he’s a doubt.
“I always think it's difficult for a sub goalkeeper as well to pick it up. When you know that you're playing on a Saturday and you've got a couple of days to get yourself right for it, I think it's always easier than just having to, all of a sudden, get yourself going.
“So, Michael didn’t come off with something that was pretty innocuous. He's come off because he couldn't carry on. So, he's doubtful. We're working on him, but he's doubtful. Everybody is doing their best, Michael included, to get him right for Saturday. And if he’s not , then we’ll assess it through the international break. Which is obviously the beauty of that.”
If Cooper isn’t declared fit to face the Londoners at Bramall Lane then Davies will step in to take the gloves. He has had an up-and-down time of it on the occasions he has stepped in over the years but remains a part of Wales’ international plans, linking up with the national team over the upcoming break.
“Yeah, of course,” replied Wilder when asked if he has faith in Davies’ abilities. “He’s our number two. As I said, it's not always an ideal situation, to come on into a game like that when you've got five minutes to warm up and get yourself ready.
“But that's part and parcel of the job. If he was an outfield player, more than likely, then somebody bails you out if you do make a mistake. And as always, the loneliness of a goalkeeper, he understood and understands that maybe, for the second goal, we should have done better in and around it.
“But he's a good goalkeeper. He'll be away next week with the national team, so a situation might occur when they're playing in the World Cup qualifier. It's just unfortunate. He understands that.
“He'll be disappointed, but he's got character. He's got strength of character. He's an experienced goalkeeper and he has to come through it just as much as we all have to come through this period.
“That's how it is. He's well-respected. He's a good goalkeeper. It's difficult when you're playing number two to somebody who's been really, really good for us, but these are the moments where Devo's got to come in and show what he's about from a quality point of view, from an ability point of view, character point of view, experience point of view.
“When I look back and assess it, we were working away with Michael right the way through the half-time period to get him back on the pitch. And then we went into the last two minutes of it with a conclusion that he can't carry on. So all of a sudden, Davo's got to go into battle and hit the ground running.
“As I said, usually when something unfortunate happens from a goalkeeper, it usually ends up in the back of the net and that's what happened. There’s no hiding place for him but he’s a big, strong character.
“A good boy, a good professional. A good, likeable lad. There’s a reason that he’s part of our goalkeeping group and if he starts tomorrow, then I’ve got no problem with that.”