Sheffield United will miss a “top player” if Jordan Ayew’s injury scare proves serious, skipper Japhet Tanganga has admitted

Sheffield United will be missing a “top player” if Jordan Ayew’s injury scare is of any seriousness, teammate Japhet Tanganga has insisted, after the Ghanaian was diagnosed with an unspecified fitness issue on international duty.

The 35-year-old only joined United on a free earlier this month and has made three appearances off the bench as he looks to get up to speed after a spell as a free agent through the summer.

Reaction on social media to his injury blow was not exactly kind but Ayew has impressed his teammates and coaching staff since he arrived at Bramall Lane, as an effective replacement for Callum O’Hare after he was sold to Wrexham on deadline day.

“He’s a player that’s played in the Premier League and, in my time when I was at Spurs, I’ve played against him a few times. He’s a top player,” Tanganga said.

“He’s an international player, the captain of his country. That kind of quality and that kind of experience is great for the changing room. Someone who’s been there, someone who’s played at the highest level, played at the highest tournaments.”

Tanganga also spoke about how quickly Ayew has settled into the group since arriving at United.

“He’s been a great addition to the group. He’s gelled in pretty well,” he said. “He obviously knows Jairo [Riedewald] from his time at Palace and then obviously Hamza [Choudhury] at Leicester.

“And he’s gelled well with me. He’s obviously born in France. I speak French, he speaks French, so we get along with that.

“So he’s been a good addition to the group and you’ve seen when he’s come on, what he added and obviously what he can add for the team going forward in the season. He’s been a great addition.”

Tanganga has good reason to remember coming up against Ayew when he was at Spurs. “He actually got me sent off,” he said.

“I went into a challenge on a yellow card and he dived. I didn’t really touch him, but obviously he has to do what he has to do.

“I’ve played a few games against him and, like I say, he’s a top player. A handful, great quality … and it’s a great addition for us and what we need going forward.”