Sheffield United provide an important update on Jack O'Connell

Jack O’Connell suffered no complications during surgery to repair his injured knee, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has reported, but the defender could still miss the rest of the Premier League season.
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O’Connell travelled to London earlier this week after coaching staff took the decision to withdraw him from first team action last month - calculating it was no longer possible for the 26-year-old to continue pushing himself through the pain barrier and contribute to the best of his ability.

Wilder and United’s team doctors discussed the situation with the specialist who performed the procedure ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Arsenal.

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Although the operation has been deemed a success, Wilder said: “It’s the same timescale for Jack.

“There were no complications as far as the specialist was concerned. Once they got inside the knee, there was nothing they didn’t expect to find. It’s a tough time at the football club and a tough time for Jack. But we’ve all been through tough times before and if you’re tough, which Jack and the rest of the lads are, then you come through it.”

United travel to the capital searching for their first points of the new season following defeats by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa and Leeds but boosted by the arrival of Rhian Brewster in a club record deal from Liverpool. John Egan, O’Connell’s fellow centre-half, is set to return to action at the Emirates Stadium after missing the meeting with Marcelo Bielsa’s side through suspension. The Republic of Ireland international was controversially sent-off at Villa Park.

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