Rhian Brewster’s Sheffield United injury is the latest as a vital teammate’s “complex” recuperation continues.
Both Blades players have been out for nearly a year due to hamstring injuries.
Sheffield United were waiting for the findings of Rhian Brewster’s latest scan last night as the striker continues his comeback from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for over a year. Brewster required surgery to fix the problem, and the Blades’ record signing has had a lengthy and frustrating road back to health.
Brewster was observed performing some finishing work during pre-season in Portugal and has subsequently advanced to taking part in some team practices at Shirecliffe, with United careful of controlling his workload to avoid a relapse. He is one of several Blades players who are currently injured, but he has been named to the Premier League squad of 25, so he will be ready to play when he returns to full fitness.
“Rhian has had another scan, which we hope goes well,” manager Paul Heckingbottom stated ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit tomorrow. “He’s been training, and we’re just going through everything one step at a time.” He’s been doing a lot of work and training with us and is eager to get started. But, given his history, everyone is currently trying to protect him from himself and ensure that every box is checked.
“The medical team has put the blinkers on to make sure he’s in the best possible condition.” He’s already trained with us, but not openly, because we’ve been safeguarding him and making sure he only performs things we approve of. That time, when we get him back properly, will hopefully come soon, but patience is required once again. That’s the part he’s skipped.”
Walker’s long-awaited return to Manchester United has been postponed due to a contract update with Manchester City.
Welsh international defender Rhys Norrington-Davies has missed a similar period of time to Brewster due to a serious hamstring injury suffered away at Coventry last winter, which ended his World Cup ambition. Heckingbottom described his circumstances as “complex” when he went under the knife. “He’s progressing,” said the manager. “Rhys has a complicated situation, but he’s working hard, and they [medical staff] are getting him to a point where they’re really pleased.”
More good news came in the form of midfielder John Fleck, who sustained a second leg fracture in preseason versus Girona. He underwent surgery to have a metal plate implanted to aid healing and is now back in training. “He no longer has the pot on, and I actually think he might have been out on the grass running [on Thursday],” Heckingbottom added.
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“The medical team chose to have that pot on because of how well that similar injury healed.” He didn’t have the op and returned still trying to toy with it, thus it took a long time to heal. He healed quickly after having the plate inserted, and we were able to get him back in shape and playing.”
Daniel Jebbison is still out with an illness, while Max Lowe has had surgery on a bizarre ankle ligament damage he suffered after walking on a sprinkler during a pre-season game against Derby County. Ben Osborn is also out with a groin injury and will miss the rest of the season, while Ismaila Coulibaly is also out.
