Huge boost for Sheffield United over 19-goal ace, five-goal dangerman ahead of crunch festive games
Two of Sheffield United’s forthcoming opponents before Christmas have suffered major injuries to important players ahead of their game against the table-topping Blades. United, of course, have had their own availability concerns recently, with Oliver Arblaster slated to miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL and both Anel Ahmedhodzic and Harry Souttar suspended for Sunday’s game against West Brom.
However, their rivals are also feeling the strain as the busy festive season approaches, and United’s next opponents at Bramall Lane, Plymouth Argyle, will travel to South Yorkshire without talisman Morgan Whittaker next weekend. Due to a toe injury, the attacker will not play for the Pilgrims this season, joining skipper Joe Edwards and fellow joint-top scorer Ibrahim Cissoko.
Whittaker scored 19 goals in the Championship last season and will be sorely missed by Wayne Rooney’s side as they look to cause an upset and become the first Championship side to win at Bramall Lane this season – with their former goalkeeper Michael Cooper looking to continue his remarkable run of form in South Yorkshire since his summer move from Home Park.
“It’s really strange,” Rooney added. “I have never seen the number of injuries we are accumulating. It’s difficult, but we need to work with the guys who are fit and available. He (Whittaker) has a little crack. He does not require surgery for it, but it will keep him out until early January. It’s a huge blow, as are all of the other players we’re missing.
“We are missing a lot, as I keep repeating, but some players will get another chance, and I hope they are ready to go on Saturday [v Oxford United] and put on a strong performance at home. Of course, the outcome is the most important, but we need to rally the supporters and play with passion, character, and intensity that will help us win the game.”
United fans will not be saddened by the news that defender Jake Cooper will miss United’s trip to Millwall next Wednesday evening, with a knee injury anticipated to keep him out until far into the new year. “He’ll be missing for about ten weeks,” Harris said of Cooper, who has five goals in his past eight Championship meetings versus United.
“He’s got a knee injury picked up after 15 seconds against Stoke. He completed the game and was able to take his kids out on the Sunday and then Monday it sort of flared up and it was swollen. We scanned him start of last week and it showed the damage. He’s going to be in a brace for six weeks and then the time frame after that, we’re looking at probably a three to four weeks recovery period.”
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