Scunthorpe 2 Sheffield United 2: Blades striker Leon Clarke ruled out for a month

Sheffield United striker Leon Clarke faces a month on the sidelines after a third scan identified his mystery injury.
Jack O'Connell of Sheffield United rises up to direct a header goalwards at Scunthorpe. (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)Jack O'Connell of Sheffield United rises up to direct a header goalwards at Scunthorpe. (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)
Jack O'Connell of Sheffield United rises up to direct a header goalwards at Scunthorpe. (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)

The summer signing from Bury has been troubled by an ankle injury, but two previous scans failed to pick up any problems.

But a third scan has revealed a chipped bone and he is expected to be out for the next four weeks.

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“Leon’s had two tests before but they didn’t show anything,” said Blades boss Chris Wilder. “The third one, though, showed that the problem was.

“It’s a shame because I think he would have been a really big player, a really important player, for us out there.

“Leon has been volunteering to play. So that shows the type of attitude he’s got. But you could just see he wasn’t moving right, he wasn’t doing himself justice.

“It’s a shame because, it goes without saying, he’s a real asset. But it’s best that he takes a bit of time to get properly fit. It’s better for him and us.”

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Scunthorpe held onto top spot in League One after being held to a 2-2 draw against 10-man United.

Chris Basham gave the visitors the lead but Scunthorpe levelled through Josh Morris. Basham was sent off with 21 minutes left before Duane Holmes put the hosts in front. But Billy Sharp rescued a point for United with an 85th-minute penalty.

With Basham suspended, and both Jake Wright and James Wilson injury doubts for tomorrow’s visit of Bristol Rovers, new signing Reece Brown could make his debut.

Scunthorpe: Daniels, Clarke, Mirfin, Wallace, Toffolo, Holmes, Dawson (Madden 81), Bishop, Morris, Smallwood, van Veen (Hopper 81). Unused substitutes: Wiseman, Anyon, Adelakun, Mantom, Goode.

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Sheffield United: Moore,Basham,Ebanks-Landell,O’Connell,Freeman,Coutts, Fleck,Lafferty,Duffy (Scougall 77),Sharp (Lavery 90),Done. Unused substitutes: Hussey,Ramsdale,Whiteman,Chapman,Brown.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).