John Lundstram is an injury doubt for Sheffield United ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool, reports the Sheffield Star.
Lundstram missed the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on December 29 due to a problem picked up during the 1-1 draw with Watford 72 hours earlier.
The absence of the 25-year-old from the match day squad at the Etihad Stadium came as a shock. However, the club confirmed that Lundstram had failed a late fitness test.
Manager Chris Wilder has since spoken about how the midfielder picked up the issue. And also if he will be fit for the trip to Anfield on January 1.
“He tried to play on. Because that’s the attitude my lads have got,” said Wilder after the City loss.
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“But he might have made it a bit worse because of that. We’ll see.”
Why losing John Lundstram to injury is a blow
(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Lundstram has been one of the standout stars for the Blades in what has been an impressive season overall. Not least because of his Fantasy Football exploits.
Lundstram is listed as a defender in the game, meaning he can pick up extra points that others playing in midfield cannot.
Yet while that has made the Everton academy product a cult figure to non-United fans, Blades supporters appreciate his importance beyond that.
Having made just 10 Championship appearances in 2018/19, Lundstram has become integral this term. That is because Wilder has switched from the 3-4-1-2 system used to gain promotion, to a 3-5-2 formation now they are in the top flight.
With Oliver Norwood as the anchor, Lundstram and John Fleck are free to play as box-to-box players. It has worked to great effect, the former scoring three league goals and Fleck adding four more.
Mo Besic filled in for Lundstram against Man City and didn’t offer the same dynamism in the middle. Having him back for the trip to his home city on New Year’s Day would be a big boost.
