Rhys Norrington-Davies' Sheffield United 'reward' at Man City after 14 months of injury hell

His cameo appearance on the Etihad Stadium turf lasted for a matter of minutes but after 14 and a half months of injury hell, it will have felt like the world for Rhys Norrington-Davies. The Sheffield United man damaged a hamstring last October away at Coventry, not only wrecking his World Cup dream but at one stage also putting his career in some doubt.

But he has ridden every setback, passed every hurdle and was rewarded by boss Chris Wilder with a late appearance off the bench in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. It was also Norrington-Davies' Premier League debut, a few years after a loan spell with Barrow in the National League, and the first of many as he builds towards full fitness and a chance to reclaim the left wing-back slot as his own.

It was some rare positive news on the injury front for the Blades in a season which has already seen Chris Basham, John Egan and Tom Davies ruled out with long-term injuries. Davies is on the comeback trail, alongside Rhian Brewster, but Oli McBurnie is still struggling with his groin issue while Max Lowe, Anel Ahmedhodzic and George Baldock have also missed games of late with various injuries.

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"That was more psychological for him, a little bit of a well done," said boss Wilder. "It was only five minutes he was on the pitch but he'll get more in this period. I'm not getting soft but it was a bit of a well done, for the work he's done away from the lights to allow him to get back onto the pitch.

"It does my head in when people talk about our injured players. There's nothing worse for a professional footballer, if you're not available and have to come in to training when the players are preparing for matches. Especially when you've come into a club with a big reputation and had a couple of quid paid for you, but any player. It's an incredible slog to get through long-term injuries, and it's tough. They deserve a bit of luck now."