Sheffield United 3 Rochdale 0: Evans double in Blades win

Lucas, who spent three years at Sheffield Wednesday and has also played for Barnsley and Leeds United, was knocked out after a penalty box collision just before halftime.

He also appeared to have a neck injury and was stretchered off the field to applause from all sides of the stadium.

The incident overshadowed a game that was eventually won comfortably by the Blades to maintain their play-off push.

Striker Ched Evans took his recent tally to eight in five games - scoring in the 39th minute with a first time shot from 18 yards and scoring direct from a freekick after 64 minutes.

In between, Richard Cresswell scored his sixth goal of the season - flicking in a cross from Lecsinel Jean-Francois at the near post.

The Blades had been second best for long periods of the first half and Steve Simonsen produced a vital one-on-one save to deny Nicky Adams.

However. the loss of goalkeeper Lucas may have knocked Rochdale’s concentration and the Blades dominated the second half.

For in-depth match report and reaction, read Sports Monday, free with Monday’s Yorkshire Post newspaper.