SHEFFIELD United will continue to monitor Michael Doyle’s fitness amid fears the midfielder’s involvement against Crawley Town could be under threat.
United, who remained third in League One following Saturday’s goalless draw with leaders Tranmere Rovers, head to Sussex this weekend knowing a win could see them wrestle top spot from Ronnie Moore’s side.
However, medical staff at the club’s Shirecliffe training complex were last night scheduled to assess Doyle’s condition after the 31-year-old sustained a heavy blow during what proved to be a hard-fought stalemate.
“Michael got caught,” Danny Wilson, the United manager, said. “You knew he felt it because he’s not normally the type of player who stays down.
“He told us he was fine at the time and after the final whistle. He carried on and completed the match, which was good to see too.
“But sometimes it’s only when the adrenalin subsides that any problems become apparent.
“Hopefully he’ll be okay but we’ll take a look at him and see.”
United are a point behind Rovers and second-placed Brentford while Crawley are 10th following a 2-1 win at Stevenage.
Hope Akpan and Dannie Bulman scored for the visitors.
The result saw Crawley extend their unbeaten run to three games and manager Richie Barker said: “We deserved that win. It was no worse a performance than we’ve had over the past two or three weeks.
“We had some luck with the second goal but I thought the attitude of the players was fantastic.
“The way we played, passed the ball and trusted each other - this team are a good bunch to work with.”
“We haven’t been getting the luck recently but, even taking that into account I thought we were the better side. The lads worked hard, like they always do, and got their reward for that effort.”