By James Dall Last updated: 26th January 2008
Montgomery: Injury woe
Sheffield United's Nick Montgomery has been ruled out of action after scans revealed he has been playing with a broken foot.
The midfielder sustained the injury during the game against Barnsley last December; however the break was not discovered.
It has now been confirmed that Montgomery fractured his fourth metatarsal, and he is expected to miss The Blades' next five games, including Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Manchester City.
Montgomery, who will see a specialist on Monday to devise a recovery programme, has spoken of his devastation at the news.
The 26-year-old said in The Star: "I've been in absolute agony and I'm gutted because it's been one thing after another since the summer. I didn't want to pull out because I didn't want to look like I was just dropping out.
"I'm devastated. I'm going to have to rest it now but I want to be a part of the team that turns our season around."
Manager Bryan Robson hailed Montgomery's character, saying: "He's had injuries to his shoulder, rib, and hip plus pleurisy for starters, but it is a measure of the lad's willingness to go through the pain barrier for this club that he has battled through seven games whilst not being right."
Montgomery's injury all but ends the reported interest from a number of clubs that have been chasing him in the January transfer window.

Championship Round Up - 21st November
Watford 3-0 Scunthorpe - Highlights
Coventry 1-1 Crystal Palace - Highlights
Doncaster 2-0 QPR - Highlights
Middlesbrough 1-1 Nottm Forest - Highlights
Leicester 1-0 Plymouth - Highlights
Ipswich 0-0 Sheffield Wed - Highlights
West Brom 4-1 Bristol City - Highlights
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Monday 23rd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Preston vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Sheff Utd |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Watford |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Reading |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Swansea |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs Doncaster |
| 15:00 | Peterborough vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Plymouth vs Barnsley |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Coventry |
| 15:00 | Scunthorpe vs Leicester |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs West Brom |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Cardiff vs Ipswich |
| Monday 30th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Blackpool vs Preston |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 13:00 | Nottm Forest vs Leicester |
| 15:00 | Blackpool vs Barnsley |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Ipswich |
| 15:00 | Cardiff vs Preston |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Doncaster |
| 15:00 | Derby vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Watford |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| West Brom 4 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Nottm Forest | |
| Doncaster 2 - 0 QPR | |
| Watford 3 - 0 Scunthorpe | |
| Barnsley 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Reading 2 - 1 Blackpool | |
| Sheff Utd 1 - 0 Peterborough | |
| Coventry 1 - 1 Crystal Palace | |
| Ipswich 0 - 0 Sheff Wed | |
| Leicester 1 - 0 Plymouth | |
| Friday 20th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Swansea 1 - 0 Derby | |
| Monday 9th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 2 - 2 Sheff Utd | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Swansea 3 - 2 Cardiff | |
| Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 1 Bristol City | |
| Leicester 1 - 2 West Brom | |
| Blackpool 4 - 1 Scunthorpe | |
| Watford 2 - 0 Preston | |
| Reading 1 - 1 Ipswich | |
| Plymouth 2 - 1 Doncaster | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Bromwich Albion | 17 | 34 |
| 2 | Newcastle United | 16 | 33 |
| 3 | Leicester City | 17 | 30 |
| 4 | Swansea City | 17 | 28 |
| 5 | Cardiff City | 17 | 27 |
| 6 | Queens Park Rangers | 17 | 27 |
| 7 | Blackpool | 17 | 27 |
| 8 | Watford | 17 | 27 |
| 9 | Nottingham Forest | 17 | 26 |
| 10 | Bristol City | 17 | 26 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 17 | 25 |
| 12 | Preston North End | 16 | 24 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 17 | 23 |
| 14 | Sheffield United | 17 | 21 |
| 15 | Barnsley | 17 | 21 |
| 16 | Doncaster Rovers | 17 | 18 |
| 17 | Sheffield Wednesday | 17 | 18 |
| 18 | Coventry City | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | Derby County | 17 | 17 |
| 20 | Reading | 17 | 17 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 17 | 17 |
| 22 | Plymouth Argyle | 17 | 15 |
| 23 | Ipswich Town | 17 | 13 |
| 24 | Peterborough United | 17 | 11 |
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
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Roberto Di Matteo has told Robert Koren to be patient and bide his time for a first-team chance.
Newcastle have signed Fabrice Pancrate after he impressed on trial at St James' Park.
Ukra has admitted he would study any offer that came his way after being linked with Newcastle.
West Bromwich Albion moved to the top of the Championship table after a 4-1 victory over Bristol City at The Hawthorns.
Ipswich have moved to within four points of safety following a goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday.