Sheffield United: “I got to know him quite early because I was his taxi driver!” – John Egan in a nightmare season and Sam Curtis

After two seasons in the top flight, Egan’s Sheffield United clinched promotion back to the big time just over a year ago and hopes were high when their big comeback arrived last August.

But just seven games into the campaign, the Ireland centre-half suffered an Achilles injury which ruled him out of the rest of the campaign as well as the last four international windows.

And after being relegated since December 2, the Blades’ relegation was confirmed in April after picking up just three wins in a dismal season.

After spending most of the last nine months in the recovery room, the Corkman is back fit and preparing for the upcoming pre-season programme. Although he was out of contract this month amid interest from the Premier League, he reflected on a nightmare season, personally and for his club.

“Very difficult (to see the club relegated), especially when you can’t play and help the team. You feel a little guilty. It was a very tough experience that I’m missing most of the season for,” said Egan, speaking on behalf of Pringles.

“I’ve played almost every game since I signed for the club (in 2018). Then to get injured at the beginning of the season is very hard to take, but you have to accept it. That’s football.

“When I was 20, I broke my leg, so I was out for about a year with it. I think this experience definitely impressed me this time. The hardest thing after having surgery and facing a lot of time on the sidelines is being patient. You just have to trust the process. Even if it was a cup final or something, rehab time is rehab time and you have to respect that. You have to let the body heal. I’m back ready to go now.”

Sheffield United are in talks to keep Egan at Bramall Lane as he is due to become a free agent this summer and despite interest from Premier League sides, the 31-year-old insists he will weigh up his future when he is the right time.

“Those discussions are going on in the background, they’re over my head,” said Egan, with 36 people.

“Most of these things are out of my hands. As a player, all I can do is focus on getting my body up to speed. When the time comes, when there is an offer or a decision to be made, everything is weighed. When the time comes for a decision to be made, a decision will be made. Ideally, I’d like to get something sorted soon, but as a player, all I can do now is make sure I’m 100% recovered from this injury.”

A new Irish face at Bramall Lane this season was 18-year-old Sam Curtis, who signed from St Patrick’s Athletic in January before earning his senior debut last month.

“He’s settled in really well,” said Ireland U-21 right-back Egan. “I got to know him quite early because I was his taxi driver for the first two months! But he’s a great boy with an incredible attitude.

“He’s played a lot of first-team games in Ireland, which you can see (60 games for St Pat’s). He came in and wasn’t shy, he stuck straight away and became part of the dressing room pretty quickly. He is another player with a big future.

“He has a very good attitude to be the best player he can be. Sam came in and not only worked hard but kept asking questions. I see him out after practice doing a lot of extras. This is probably the main thing that stands out about him. He’s not afraid to put on the heavy belts, and that’s probably 90 percent of the fight.”