'Tough lad...' What Sheffield United boss said about Jack O'Connell's fitness bid and future

O’Connell has not played for over two years now after two operations on his injured knee and is out of contract this summer, with questions surrounding his Bramall Lane future as a consequence.

O’Connell is not currently working on the grass or doing ball-work with his United teammates, and has recently been working out in a private gym. Unitedites are desparate to see him pull on a United shirt again, with O’Connell establishing a reputation as one of the best left-sided defenders in the Premier League before the injury surfaced.

Asked ahead of this weekend’s trip to Millwall if O’Connell had a chance of playing again for United, Heckingbottom said: “We all want him to. Yourselves, me, the fans, Jack, but we're also well aware of how complicated the injury was and the amount of surgery he's had.

"There's no pressure from us or Jack himself, it's just day by day working. It's tough because it's through no fault of Jack's. We know he's a tough lad, he's got the mental strength to make it. So he just gets our support.”

Asked if he had discussed O’Connell’s situation with the Blades hierarchy, Heckingbottom added: “I only chat to Jack about it, I’m not discussing it with the club. Just Jack, about his injury and rehabbing and where everything sits with him.

"It's a tough place when you're injured at the best of times but when he was performing as well as he was, and the nature of the injury and the amount of roads he’s gone down and the setbacks.

"When I took the team in the Premier League I had him training a couple of days, that's how close he got at that point, but then he had further surgery since. It is different, I'm invested in Jack in a different way to make sure he's alright.

"Everyone would love him to be back fit but it’s about checking in with him and making sure he’s alright.”