Monday 28 August 2017 19:25, UK
Sheffield United forward Caolan Lavery is expected to be out for two months after a clash of heads with Derby's Marcus Olsson.
The incident happened in the second half of the Championship match at Bramall Lane which Sheffield United won 3-1.
The 24-year-old suffered multiple fractures to his eye socket and cheekbone and received lengthy treatment on the pitch before walking off.
The Bramall Lane medics immediately transferred Lavery to Sheffield's Northern General hospital where surgeons began work on reducing the pressure that had built up around his right eye, a move which it is understood saved the player's sight in his right eye.
Lavery later posted a picture on social media showing the damage, with his eye heavily bruised.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told The Star: "I want us to be competitive, I don't want that taken away from us, but we're not a cynical, dirty side.
"It was a 50/50 ball in the air, both boys went for it and unfortunately Caolan came out with a big smash to his cheekbone, so we'll assess that."
