John Egan is the latest Sheffield United player to join their ever-growing injury list.
The defender was stretchered off in a leg brace during the 3-0 Premier League defeat at West Ham United.
It didn’t look good at the time and manager Chris Wilder is fearing the worst as well.
“It didn’t look too good did it with him coming off on a stretcher and I think he’s on crutches now,” Wilder told BT Sport after the game.
“That caps off a miserable night.”
Egan was replaced by Phil Jagielka on a sorry evening for the Blades, who were well beaten by West Ham.
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Wilder said his team had “taken a big step back” after showing some improved form in recent weeks.
The South Yorkshire side had won six of their last nine matches in all competitions ahead of their trip to the London Stadium,
Even in defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City during that time, they put up a good fight.
But they were second best throughout against the Hammers and looked poor both defensively and going forwards.
Egan injury just the latest to add to the list
If the Republic of Ireland international faces a lengthy spell on the side-lines it would sum up a season of fitness concerns.
Things started going wrong early on when it was decided Jack O’Connell needed knee surgery just two games into 2020/21.
Since then Sander Berge has also been struck down for the long term.
With Egan joining the list, that is three key and influential players out of the side.
Without O’Connell the overlapping centre-back tactic has faltered, but at least central defence has remained relatively solid. Without Egan, that task is made a lot harder.
The Blades’ woes this term can’t be entirely blamed on injuries. But they certainly haven’t helped.
