Rhian Brewster opens up on Sheffield United fitness battle and secret to his turnaround in form

There is never a good time to suffer a season-ending injury. But for Rhian Brewster, his hamstring going 22 minutes into the 2-0 win at Peterborough in January was a devastating blow.

Having struggled to find his feet following a big-money move from Liverpool, the 22-year-old was starting to show signs of promise under Paul Heckingbottom. It felt like his two goals in the space of four games under the current Blades boss and much improved performances in a front two with Billy Sharp was a sign he was coming to life.

After coming into a United team struggling for form and confidence in the Premier League and then being used sparingly in a number of positions under former manager Slavisa Jokanovic, it appeared Heckingbottom was about to unlock his potential in front of goal.

He'd got off the mark in the league for Sheffield United at Blackburn two games prior to Heckingbottom's first match in charge against Bristol City and he was in a rich vein of form when injury struck. He was now facing a long road back and would not kick a ball again for the rest of the season. However, six months later and he's on the recovery trail.

Two goals in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Lincoln City on Tuesday was a welcome return to the scoresheet and he is continuing his build-up to match sharpness ahead of the new campaign, which kicks off on Monday, August 1 at Watford.

Still a long way to go before he is ready for regular 90-minute football, but he is targeting a place in the team that travels to Vicarage Road. He says his long lay off 'played with his mind' a bit but the support of his other injured team-mates got him through it.

Speaking to Yorkshire Live last week at the club's pre-season training base in Portugal, he