Sheffield United injury latest as Rhian Brewster given summer hope ahead of remaining pack

Rhian Brewster could be ready to hit the ground running at the start of pre-season. The 22-year-old is among a clutch of players out with long-term issues.

He suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the 2-0 win at Peterborough in January and has joined a host of other players who have not been taking any further part in the current campaign. Also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines have been Jayden Bogle and David McGoldrick, while Oli McBurnie is the newest member of the long-term club.

Jack O'Connell is the only other who has a long road ahead of him and manager Paul Heckingbottom believes Brewster has a strong chance to be back in time to start the summer with his team-mates.

He returned to 'the grass' for the first time last week and Heckingbottom rates Brewster's chances of being back in time to start pre-season as the highest of all those long-term Sheffield United absentees.

"Probably Rhian has the best chance," he told Yorkshire Live. "He has been on the grass for the first time.

"Others are touch and go and it will be a case of seeing how they go, but Rhian is the furthest down the line."

There are currently more pressing concerns in the medical department following Billy Sharp's calf tear last week in training. The striker and influential captain is expected to be out for 'weeks rather than days' following the training ground setback that ruled him out of the 3-1 win at QPR.

He is expected to miss this weekend's crucial encounter at home to Fulham, but Heckingbottom revealed following Friday night's encounter that he is prepared to fight 'tooth and nail' to play some part should they qualify for the play-offs and buy him extra time.