Boss admission as former Leeds United man is dealt fresh injury blow for Sheffield United

Former Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton has been a fresh injury blow for Sheffield United.

Whites Academy graduate Shackleton ended his time with Leeds when joining the Blades in the summer of 2024 but the 26-year-old has been held back by a series of injury and fitness issues since moving to Bramall Lane.

Shackleton has been limited to just 21 minutes in three outings from the bench so far this season and not featured since the end of October but it was hoped that the versatile ex-Whites man was nearing a return towards the end of last year.

“It’s disappointing for him as well”

Shackleton had reportedly been pencilled in for a return to training as per the YEP’s sister title The Star but boss Chris Wilder has now revealed that the former Leeds player has suffered another setback as part of what he admits has been a difficult time for him since joining the Blades.

Wilder said: “It’s a little bit of a setback, from Shacks’ point of view. He's had a real difficult time at the football club and it’s disappointing for him as well.”

It was thought that Shackleton could have been sent out on loan but Wilder added: “First and foremost, we’ve got to get him back fit and be involved.

“Getting minutes and getting training for a period of time before anybody - and that's right across the board - is available for us or is available for, maybe, a loan to get themselves back playing.”