Coutts injury hits team hard
ARESUMPTION of the superb match-winning momentum that has thrust Sheffield United right into the Championship title race could not temper the gutwrenching body blow of Paul Coutts’ horror injury.
The Blades, who had thrashed Hull 4-1 two weekends ago, continued their superb return to the second tier with victory over Burton at the Pirelli Stadium.
But manager Chris Wilder admitted his players were numb after seeing influential midfielder Coutts break his leg late in first-half added time.
The 29-year-old fractured the tibia in his right leg as he was caught by Burton striker Marvin Sordell while attempting to get a shot away.
He was given gas and air as he lay stricken on the pitch and his club have confirmed the former Preston and Derby midfielder, who will undergo surgery next week, is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Wilder didn’t accuse Sordell of any malice but understandably had the wind taken out of his sails by Coutts’ predicament.
“It's one where he’s gone to block it and I don't think it’s malicious – Nigel (Clough, Burton manager) said that at the time,” said Wilder.
“But it makes no odds if it's honest or it's malicious – it’s not a great challenge. They’ve both mistimed it.
“Whether it’s a penalty or what type of tackle it is, the biggest thing is we’ve lost a very good player for what may be a lengthy amount of time.
“I think you’ll understand why everybody is a little bit subdued. Couttsy is a great lad and a popular lad so, although we’re pleased to be where we are, our first thoughts are with him.”
Billy Sharp’s brace and Leon Clarke’s ninth goal of the season saw United humble Burton, with the former handed the opportunity to put his side in front from the penalty spot.
The Blades skipper was clumsily bundled over by Kyle McFadzean in the area as he attempted to get on the end of John Fleck’s slide-rule pass and dusted himself down to slam past Stephen Bywater.
Parity was spectacularly restored in the 31st minute as the Brewers’ Matty Palmer smashed home a stunning leftfooted effort from 25 yards, but Burton’s respite would prove to be short-lived.
A sublime piece of vision from Cameron Carter-Vickers saw him carve open Burton with a superb through ball and Sharp burst into life, timing his run perfectly before slotting past Bywater at the near post. Before the break – and Coutts’ unfortunate injury – Clarke pinged a side-footed effort against the post but the 32-yearold would go on to get himself on the scoresheet with 12 minutes to go.
Fleck flashed a cross from the left flank and the frontman bravely stooped low to nod into the bottom corner ahead of Stephen Warnock’s outstretched foot.
Burton have now lost their last five matches at home.
“The biggest factor is the lack of confidence running through the team at the moment,” said Clough, a former Blades manager. “We can't keep conceding the amount of goals. That’s the most worrying thing.
“They are a good, confident team. They’ve done that to most teams this season.”