Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic has confirmed that he has picked up a hamstring injury which will keep him out of Bosnia-Herzegovina's upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
The 24-year-old was a key part of the Blades' promotion campaign from the Championship last season, featuring in 34 second-tier matches, scoring six goals and providing two assists in the process.
Ahmedhodzic has started all four of United's opening quartet of Premier League fixtures, helping Paul Heckingbottom's men to their first point of the campaign against Everton at Bramall Lane last weekend.
The centre-back has become a key figure for Bosnia since making his debut in September 2020, earning 21 caps for a nation who are attempting to qualify for their first European Championships.
Following rumours in the Bosnian media that Ahmedhodzic had been suspended for failing to report to international duty, the former Bordeaux man broke his silence on the matter on Wednesday night.
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"Unfortunately, I picked up a minor injury on my hamstring and have made the decision to not attend the call-up this time and to start my rehab as soon as possible to get back on the pitch as fast as possible," stated Ahmedhodzic on his official Instagram account.
"Everyone that needed to know this got the information on time. I know my body and think it is best that I stay in Sheffield on this occasion to give myself the best possible chance to get and remain fit for the rest of the season.
"With that said everyone knows how I feel about BiH, everyone can see that every time I play. I leave everything on the pitch. Do not believe everything you read. Anyways, I think most of us know the problems surrounding our national team."
Everyone of a Sheffield United persuasion will be hoping that Ahmedhodzic will not join a host of Blades stars in the club's medical room for a significant period of time.
Heckingbottom's side are already without the services of Max Lowe and Ben Osborne, with the former sustaining a freak injury after stepping on a sprinkler before a pre-season game at Derby County in the summer.
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John Egan was forced off in the draw against Sean Dyche's Toffees on Saturday, however the Irishman is training with his nation ahead of a clash with France following a scan on his ankle and knee on Monday.
United are yet to integrate former Arsenal man Auston Trusty into their top-flight backline, with the American being constricted to minutes in the EFL Cup so far this campaign.
Rhys Norrington-Davies is a long-term absentee for the Blades after sustaining a serious hamstring injury all the way back in October 2022, when Premier League football looked unlikely for the Yorkshire club.
A trip to North London to face Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur awaits Sheffield United after the international break, although it remains to be seen whether Ahmedhodzic will be fit enough to partner Egan and Jack Robinson in the Blades' defence.
Carter White
