'I just want' - Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Arblaster makes admission over injury recovery
Sheffield United’s Oliver Arblaster has spoken candidly about his recovery from a serious injury
Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Arblaster has outlined his desire to return to his pre-injury level.
The 22-year-old midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November 2024, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign and a chunk of the following season.
He was sidelined for over a year and is still looking to rediscover the form that had him earmarked as a future Premier League star.
Oliver Arblaster eyeing return to pre-injury level
After helping Sheffield United dump Blackburn Rovers out of the Carabao Cup last night (August 25), Arblaster spoke candidly regarding his rehabiliation.
He told BBC Radio Sheffield: “I just want to keep getting minutes under my belt, and hopefully just keep progressing and get back to where I was.
“I feel sharp. I think it's just games, that match fitness. I feel good, I feel good in training, it's about just doing it out there.
“Obviously, one of the big things is confidence, but coming into each game, especially this season, I just felt like my normal self. Hopefully, just games will help me get back to that, and I know that I am capable of that.”
Benefit of full pre-season
Arblaster has featured in all four of Sheffield United’s games so far this season, and completed 90 minutes in the goalless draw with Swansea City at the weekend.
For the former England Under-20s international, it was incredibly beneficial to get an injury-free pre-season under his belt.
He said: “I feel good. I felt good through pre-season. I think just having that shut-off of doing the rehab and then going straight back in, and then having a little break going away, and then having to come in and do pre-season games.
“Not that I didn't play enough prior to coming back from injury, but from such a long injury, to have a full pre-season was really good to help manage my minutes. And then coming on tonight, I feel a lot sharper.”