Sheffield United rocked by another unfortunate injury blow amid “undercover agent” influence on Leeds United reunion
Sheffield United have been rocked by another unfortunate training-ground injury that could keep a key man out of action for a key period of games. The Blades cut the gap to sixth-placed Wrexham to eight points after winning their game in hand on Tuesday night.
But that 3-1 victory over Oxford United at Bramall Lane came after confirmation of an injury blow to Patrick Bamford, who was expected to make an instant return to the United side after sitting out Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Millwall through suspension.
His absence from the squad was later confirmed as a training ground injury, with boss Chris Wilder admitting United are crossing their fingers over the exact prognosis. It comes just a few weeks after key midfielder Jairo Riedewald was sidelined after damaging a hamstring in the final preparations for the trip to Charlton Athletic.
“Losing Pat was huge for us, because it means with him we can go a little bit more direct,” Wilder said after his side came from behind to beat the U’s. “Which we would have liked to have done, but we lost Pat yesterday.
“That's a blow, and we're going to have to wait and see on that one. Wait and see where he is. But it might be a couple of weeks, two to three weeks. Which was a big blow to us. He took a knock in training, which is unfortunate and unlucky. But we train as we play, and it’s competitive.”
Sheffield United rocked by another big injury blow amid “undercover agent” influence on Leeds United reunion
Bamford missed the trip to The Den after being sent off in the win over Ipswich Town last midweek, after he had scored, but the absence has not limited his influence at United off the pitch. The former England international helped the Blades land his old Leeds United and Three Lions teammate Kalvin Phillips this week, the Manchester City man arriving on loan on deadline day.
Phillips was one of three ex-Leeds men to sign on the final day of the window, alongside defender Leo Hjelde and midfielder Joe Rothwell, with Wilder left delighted at the plethora of options he now has in the middle of the park.
“We had our card marked on Kalvin at the start of the window,” the Blades chief added. “We asked the question and keep us in the frame. To be fair, the agent did; Pat did. Undercover agent Pat Bamford!
“He talked about us in a real positive way, which is brilliant in terms of what we're trying to do. In the feel that we want, and the perception of what our club is.
“I managed to speak to Kalvin and that one came up really late, but we knew it would be in the last 24 hours. We had competition for that, and it fell our way. Thanks to Steve Bettis [chief executive] for his work, and Carl Shieber [head of football admin] and the board for backing me on that.”
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