Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Claude Davis
Jamaican international Claude Davis has been sidelined indefinitely due to the recurrence of a persistent knee problem during English Premier League (EPL) club Sheffield United's pre-season preparations.
The 27-year-old central defender had to limp off the field after 66 minutes of a Sheffield United friendly at Notts County on Tuesday.
Early indications are that the towering last man is likely to at least miss out on the team's two-match tour of Holland where they will play ADO Den Haag and Sparta Rotterdam, and possibly the start of the EPL season.
According to the club's manager, Neil Warnock, the situation is one which they will have to monitor very closely.
Precaution
"Claude had to come off as a precaution. He keeps aggravating the knock he picked up earlier in pre-season," Warnock was quoted as saying on the club's official website.
"We will have to make a decision on whether to rest him or take him to Holland, but we will find out more in the next 24 to 48 hours; it's a case of wait and see."
After a solid season for Championship division team Preston North End, Davis became Sheffield's record signing when he was transferred for a fee of £3m. The 6' 3" central defender is expected to strengthen the back line for the newly-promoted club.
With the start of the EPL just 16 days away, Davis is the second Jamaican in top flight football to be hampered by the injury bug. Reggae Boyz captain Ricardo Gardener is also expected to miss the start of the season for Bolton Wanderers as he continues to recover from off-season knee surgery.
Sheffield United will kick off their season against Liverpool at home on the 19th, while Bolton will host Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium.
