Exclusive:Sheffield United rocked by huge key man injury blow ahead of pivotal phase amid fears over ever-present's season
Sheffield United rocked by huge key man injury blow ahead of pivotal phase amid fears over ever-present's season
Sheffield United have been rocked by a huge injury blow ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Queens Park Rangers, with fears that their previous ever-present may miss the rest of the Championship season. United had just got themselves into a decent position in terms of injuries.
Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum were the only known long-term absentees ahead of the trip to the capital, with Jairo Riedewald and Joe Rothwell returning from injury and suspension respectively in time to face Rangers.
But The Star understands United are set to be without goalkeeper Michael Cooper at Loftus Road, with fears that his season may be over. We have been told that Cooper damaged a knee just before half time of the midweek defeat to Coventry City.
That blow will open the door for Adam Davies to come in between the posts, unless boss Chris Wilder and his coaching staff decide to place their trust in young Luke Faxon for the final dozen games of the season.
Cooper had previously started all 34 of United’s Championship games so far this season but he came off at half-time against Coventry at the CBS Arena back in November with a back issue, having gone down for some treatment in the first half.
Davies came on at that point and made an error in misjudging a Coventry cross as the home side came from behind to win, but Wilder reiterated his support of Davies afterwards.
Sheffield United rocked by huge key man injury blow ahead of pivotal phase amid fears over ever-present's season
“Yeah, of course,” replied Wilder at the time 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 Davo’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.
“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 [against QPR in November], then I’ve got no problem with that.”