'He's down' - Sheffield United suffer injury hammer blow ahead of Birmingham City clash

Sheffield United will be without Rhian Brewster for the trip to Birmingham City and - according to manager Paul Heckingbottom ‘significantly’ longer.

The Blades boss confirmed Brewster has suffered a hamstring tear in last weekend’s victory over Peterborough United - just when it looked like he’d turned a corner in his United career.

Brewster, who joined from Liverpool for £23.5 million in October 2020, went more than a year without scoring a league goal for the Bramall Lane outfit.

However, they had started to trickle in recent appearances only for the 21-year-old to be struck down at London Road.

“That’s what makes it more frustrating for him and us but it’s part and parcel of being a footballer,” said Heckingbottom.

“He’s down, he’s significantly injured his hamstring, It’s the same leg but a different injury.

"We’re just getting to the bottom of it but that’s all I can probably say at the minute, it’s a significant one and we’re probably going to have to do without him for a bit and help him through it and make sure he comes back fitter and stronger.

“He’ll get many more (injuries). Hopefully he has a long career but as any footballer will tell you, it’s the worst thing to happen, to get injured, because you’re helpless in terms of helping your team-mates and it can be lonely.

“We’ll help him through it and he’ll get all the support and expertise we’ve got to help him to get back stronger and fitter, like he did the last time.”

Loanee Morgan Gibbs-White has returned to training after a knee injury but won’t be ready to face Blues, while the Blades also loaned out attackers Oliver Burke and Lys Mousset in January.

That leaves them with David McGoldrick, Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie as front line striking options. They