Sheffield United striker Leon Clarke could miss the upcoming Christmas period through injury.
Clarke was absent from the 1-0 home defeat to Leeds United at the weekend and has undergone a scan to assess the problem.
The 33-year-old scored the winner in the 3-2 victory over Brentford before that. Clarke had volunteered to play at Griffin Park despite a hip issue. However, this latest fitness setback isn’t thought to be related to that.
“Fair play to Leon, he put his hand up to play (at Brentford),” Chris Wilder told the Sheffield Star.
“It might be that he’s not done himself any favours by doing that but we’re hoping that’s not the case.
“We’re waiting to see how Leon is. Hopefully what he’s got is not too bad and he’ll be available again soon.
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“How long he’ll be out for is impossible to say at this stage because we’re waiting on something. Obviously, fingers crossed, it’s nothing major and that Leon will be available again as quickly as possible.”
Striker transfer imminent?
This latest news of Clarke makes it all the more prevalent the Blades sign a new forward in January.
Wilder has made no secret of the fact that is his priority when the transfer window opens in the New Year.
United play two strikers in their 3-4-1-2 system, but without Clarke only has three available options against Reading on Saturday.
It was after the turn of the year last season that the Blades’ promotion push began to unravel. Top at Christmas, they eventually finished 10th in the table.
Having only just been promoted back to the Championship this was still an impressive feat, but there is a feeling January recruitment would have helped them maintain their place.
Wilder will be keen not to see the same thing happen this time around. It now remains to be seen how much the board will back him with.