Sheffield United defender Jack O’Connell will miss the first Premier League game back tonight with a knee injury. The news was first reported by The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace and has now been backed up by The Athletic’s Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans.
Jack O’Connell to Miss Sheffield United’s Trip to Aston Villa
First Missed Minutes
O’Connell has been ever-present for Chris Wilder’s side this season, putting in numerous solid performances in the left centre-back role.
Rumours circulated on Twitter last night that O’Connell could be out for the rest of the season with the injury. However, Wallace reports that at the moment, it is not expected to prevent him from playing a part in later games.
O’Connell’s absence could see veteran defender Phil Jagielka come into the side, or it could mean a debut for youngster Panos Retsos. The Greek defender joined the club on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in January but did not make an appearance between his arrival and the season being suspended.
It could also, though, mean a starting berth for another January signing. Jack Robinson joined in a permanent deal from Nottingham Forest and, like Retsos, did not appear in the league before the season came to a halt.
Robinson’s usual position is at left-back, though, so it would require a slight re-shuffle of the defence.
Doubts Over Fleck
Wallace also reports that there are doubts over the fitness of John Fleck in readiness for tonight’s game.
Both Fleck and O’Connell have been vital in getting the Blades to the lofty heights of seventh and in with a shout of a European place.
Fortunately, the Blades are a bit more stocked in that area of the pitch, and indeed it was Fleck that dropped out of the side in place of January signing Sander Berge earlier in the season, so it could just be a case of the Norweigan getting more game time in the Premier League.
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