Sheffield United man's 14 months of hell almost over after “horrific” situation left his career in doubt
Sheffield United starlet set for huge Blades boost after “horrific” situation left his career in doubt
His fitness struggle may have gone under the radar a little compared to Oliver Arblaster or Tom Davies but when Sai Sachdev steps foot on a football pitch again this month, after 14 months of injury hell, it will be an emotional moment for the young Sheffield United man. Sachdev suffered a horror broken leg in an U21s clash against Wolves last September.
The challenge, in the dying minutes of the game, was described as “unacceptable” at the time by Sachdev’s teammate Louie Marsh and the consequences, The Star understands, led to Sachdev wondering privately if his formative career may be over before it had even really begun.
United responded by extending his contract by another year, to cover the time he had spent on the sidelines, and the right-back, now 20, is set to continue his rehabilitation process with a return to the Blades’ U21s side shortly.
Capped by England at U17, U18 and U19 level, Sachdev was seen as another talented product of the Shirecliffe youth academy before his injury, with Wilder fielding a call from Wolves’ sporting director Matt Hobson at the time to check on the defender’s welfare and promise to look into the circumstances.
But for all involved, the focus is now on the future. “Yeah, I’m delighted,” said Wilder when asked about Sachdev’s impending return, with key first-teamers Gus Hamer and Tahith Chong expected to return from their respective knee issues shortly and Arblaster also back in training after his long absence with an anterior cruciate ligament issue.
Sheffield United starlet set for huge Blades boost after “horrific” situation left his career in doubt
“Because he’s such a good guy as well as a good player, a positive guy. And it was a horrific tackle, as well. You get your situations like that, unfortunately; like Arblaster. It’s been a real testing time for him because of his passion and desire to get back to doing the things he does best, which is playing in a Sheffield United shirt.
“We’re delighted that we're not a million miles away from him stepping back into the first team. Gus coming back is obviously a big one, as is Chong. They’re big players but it’s especially goo news for the young guy.
“It was such a brutal challenge and a horrific injury that he had. It was a career-threatening one, and I think everybody recognises that. So with all the hard work that he's done in terms of getting himself back, we're all delighted and positive for a popular boy.”
Hamer is expected to once again miss out for United this weekend when they host Queens Park Rangers in their last game before the international break, after damaging knee ligaments in the last season hiatus last month.
The Blades return to action after the break with a Steel City derby trip to Hillsborough to face Wednesday and Wilder said of his key man: “I don't think it'll be before the international break now.
“We'll see what happens on Thursday and Friday and take it from there. But he will definitely be available for the game after the international break.”