Devastating Sheffield United blow has the potential to really harm Chris Wilder's promotion quest | OneFootball

The centre-back is out for the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury at the end of December.

The festive period proved to be a difficult one for Sheffield United, with results denting their hopes of an automatic return to the Premier League.

The Blades won just one of their four games from Boxing Day through to Saturday, losing twice to rivals Burnley and Sunderland, while only picking up a point at home to West Bromwich Albion.

Their 2-1 victory over Watford at the weekend was crucial to ensuring they were not left behind by those around them, and they continue to sit in a strong position in the Championship table.

However, an injury to Harry Souttar in their defeat to the Clarets in the first of these matches could prove to be a more significant blow than the results themselves, with Sheffield United's Australian centre-back returning to Leicester City.

Souttar's injury could have a major impact on Sheffield United's promotion challenge

The 26-year-old is set to be out for the year with an Achilles tendon injury, leaving the Blades without one of their starting centre-backs.

He played 21 games in the Championship for the Yorkshire club and was crucial to ensuring that his side had conceded just 13 times before his season ended early.

Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson look to be the pairing that Widler has chosen for the time being, however, the latter has already spent time in the treatment room already in 2024/25, and there will now be a greater desire to see him fit.

Souttar was the constant presence in Sheffield United's defence, and he will be missed greatly by his teammates, manager and supporters in the coming months. His leadership at the back, as well as his physicality are key reasons behind his now-former team's success, and replacing him will be difficult.

It will have great implications on their chances of promotion, as they do lack depth in that department, and Wilder may have to use the transfer market to find a replacement sooner rather than later.

The disruption at the back has already been seen, and it will take a bit of time for Ahmedhodzic and Robinson to get used to playing together regularly once again, and for goalkeeper Michael Cooper to get a true understanding of how the pair work.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield following the Blades' 1-1 draw with West Brom, Wilder conveyed his emotions about Souttar's loss: "He is absolutely gutted. Devastated for him, he loved it here. Big disappointment to lose the big fella because he has been incredible."

Sheffield United must learn to cope without him

There will be frustrations and sadness surrounding the injury, but Sheffield United must get on with their season, and they showed on Saturday that they still have more than enough quality to beat some of the better sides in the division.

Defeats to Burnley and Sunderland will be disappointing, but they are now safe in the knowledge that they will not face either of these sides again this season, and they remain just one point off league leaders Leeds United.

The Whites are having their own difficulties, particularly with goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and they are not impenetrable. There is just under half of the campaign to go, and there is more than enough time to find a Souttar replacement in the transfer market.

A win over Norwich City when the Championship returns after the FA Cup will only boost Wilder's and Sheffield United's confidence and will show to their rivals that they are not reliant on Souttar.