Chris Basham: Sheffield United captain 'devastated' by injury sustained against Fulham

Sheffield United's Chris Basham says he is "devastated" by the severe lower-leg injury he suffered in his team's 3-1 loss at Fulham on Saturday.

The 35-year-old centre-back, who has had the first of two planned operations, sustained the injury to his standing leg as he attempted a cross in the first half.

Basham also thanked Fulham defender Tim Ream for the support he offered.

"[I] would like to thank the football world for their support," Basham said.

"[Thanks to] all my close friends and family, to Sheffield United for taking care of me and for their support in the process, [and to] Tim Ream for being there and putting football aside."

In the Instagram post, Basham added: "[I] had my first operation to clean things up and will have a second this week to make things right."

The Blades captain said he would provide further updates in coming weeks.

The Premier League match was stopped for more than 10 minutes while Basham received treatment, with Fulham's Ream the first person to offer support.

Among the messages of support from fellow footballers, Ream replied to Basham's Instagram post: "Thinking of you pal! Rest up and get right."

Basham was carried off the pitch on a stretcher to a standing ovation, as the away supporters chanted his name.

He responded by waving to the crowd and giving a thumbs-up before leaving the pitch in an ambulance.

After the match, both managers paid tribute to Basham and praised other players on the field for their professionalism.

Basham, who has also had spells at Blackpool and Bolton, was making his 394th appearance for United, for whom he has played since 2014.

"He was not in a state to speak. He was on gas and air when he left and he is in hospital now," Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Sport.

"Everyone could see it was a horrendous injury. He is with the right people now he is in hospital. We will touch base and see how he is.

"Our thoughts are with him. Injuries like that we never want to see, and it does affect the feeling in the football stadium when something like that happens, without a doubt.

"But I don't think it affected us. We tried to be as professional as we could and continue to fight."

Fulham boss Marco Silva said his thoughts - and those of his club - were with Basham, whose injury he said was "the most important thing this afternoon".

"It was a really sad moment for all the professionals that were here with him. It is always sad to see this type of thing happen," Silva said.

"I and all of us at Fulham wish him the best recovery. Of course, he will receive all the support from Sheffield United, his family and friends.

"That is most important for him right now."

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