Sheffield United 'game-changer' Lys Mousset is back but Blades' injury problems continue

Chris Wilder is delighted to have “game-changer” Lys Mousset available for Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion but he would like to be able to change his luck after picking up another contact injury in training.
RETURN: Sheffield United striker Lys MoussetRETURN: Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset
RETURN: Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset

With the schedule so tight for those Premier League clubs playing in Europe – and for everyone when those competitions go into hibernation next month – many have picked up a high number of muscle injuries blamed on the lack of recovery time.

But the Blades have picked up another injury to player which is nothing to do with that. The un-named player is a doubt for the important bottom-of-the-table game, along with Enda Stevens.

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“There's an issue with Enda, he missed out (against West Ham United),” confirmed Wilder. “Yet again we'll give him as much of an opportunity and we've got one other injury that's touch and go for the weekend.

“I know a lot of managers are talking about soft-tissue injuries but all these are contact injuries, which is really unfortunate. This is not through bad practice at Shirecliffe or over-use or being care-free with players' welfare, these are really unfortunate injuries.

“Enda's was an injury which was a block tackle trying to keep the ball out of the back of the net at Chelsea. John Fleck (now fit again) went up for a header and landed heavily on his back, Lys Mousset and Jack O'Connell's were the same.

“The injuries we have suffered have been really unfortunate once. We pride ourselves in having a healthy group. They're robust and they work extremely hard at the training ground in prep but unfortunately ones like Enda you just have to deal with and get through that period.

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“We'll look at Enda over the next 48 hours and the other one as well.

“It was the perfect storm for us last year with everyone fit and available and to start picking up points, getting a settled team and to get everyone back to the standards they can produce, we need a full, fit and healthy squad. It's something we didn't have to deal with last season.”

Much more positive is the news that striker Mousset is fit again, albeit he has not been able to build up any match-fitness. The Frenchman has not played a competitive game since being given time off at the end of last season to be with the mother of his child, who gave birth in France in the spring whilst Mousset was locked down in South Yorkshire. He picked up a toe injury in pre-season.

“He's been a huge miss for us.,” said Wilder. “He was outstanding since his transfer (from Bournemouth) last season. He's a game-changer with raw pace and there's something out of the ordinary comes from him.

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“We're looking for game-changers in our the group. One of my criticisms of my team is we've not taken big chances at crucial times and we've not had game-changers to change losses into draws and draws into wins. Lys certainly comes into that category and I'm delighted to have him back.”

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