'Devastated' - Billy Sharp's Sheffield United reaction after missing QPR match through injury

Billy Sharp says he is 'devastated' to miss tonight's match away at QPR through injury. The Blades skipper has been ruled out after picking up a calf issue in training.

The news is a major blow to Sheffield United and manager Paul Heckingbottom. It means, not for the first time this season, his side will line up without a striker in his starting XI. Indeed, the entire senior forward department is missing as Sharp joins Oli McBurnie, David McGoldrick and Rhian Brewster in the treatment room.

Sharp returned on Saturday in the 1-0 win over Cardiff and it was hoped he would be back to spearhead a push for the play-offs. United had missed in him during the five games he was out with a hamstring injury suffered in the victory over Barnsley prior to the international break.

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With only two games remaining in the campaign and destiny in their own hands, today's news could not have come at a worse time. Following the announcement of today's team, Sharp took to Twitter to show his support for his team-mates.

He said: "Devastated not to be fit, but come on the boys!".

United kick off tonight's match in sixth place, two points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough. With the chasing pack not kicking off until tomorrow, it represents a huge opportunity to pile the pressure on those sides below and further strengthen their grip on that top six spot.

Having been in the promotion picture for much of the season, the hosts have dropped to 10th and are effectively out of the play-off race, needing a remarkable set of results to go their way and a major swing in goal difference. It will also be Mark Warburton's final home game in charge after it was announced yesterday he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

The game gets under way at 7:45pm and you can follow live updates and everything that happens at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium right here on our matchblog blog.