Harry Souttar has been ruled out for the rest of the season in a horrible case of deja vu.

The former Stoke City defender has been starring on loan at Sheffield United, but he is understood to have suffered an Achilles injury which has ended his season, prompting his loan with the Blades to be cancelled and his return to Leicester.

Souttar suffered the injury in Sheffield United’s Championship clash with Burnley on Boxing Day. He was consoled as he was leaving the pitch by his old Stoke teammate Josh Laurent. He returned to Leicester to be assessed and Blades boss Chris Wilder confirmed on Sunday that the player’s tendon “snapped”, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

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It is a devastating blow for Souttar, who had kickstarted his club career at Bramall Lane, after a tough spell at Leicester since joining from Stoke in early 2023. He had only just recovered from a dreadful knee injury at Stoke which had left him on the sidelines for 12 months, coming back to star at the World Cup with Australia and earn a move to the Premier League.

He has played in 21 matches in the Championship this term and helping his loan club to second place in the table. There was talk of him making a permanent move away from the King Power Stadium at the end of the season, but any transfer will now be on ice as he begins his rehabilitation.

Posting for the first time about the devastating injury blow, he said on Instagram: “Thanks to everyone at Sheffield United ... An amazing club with great people. Unfortunately that's me out for a while but I wish everyone at the club all the best for the rest of the season and beyond. Once a Blade, always a Blade. X.”