While it has been a difficult season for everyone at Sheffield United, it must be a particularly hard one to stomach for John Egan.
One of the club's longest serving players, this campaign was supposed to be one where he was given another opportunity to show what he could do at Premier League. The Irishman massively impressed during his previous stint in the English top flight and played a huge role in helping The Blades to promotion last season.
However, having captained the side to begin the campaign, an injury he picked up in just their seventh league fixture back in September has kept him out of action since then.
He looks set to remain on the sidelines for foreseeable future.
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John Egan facing uncertain future after Chris Wilder comments
At 31-years old, an injury of this severity is far from ideal for John Egan. Not only has he all but lost a season of his career, but it also put his future prospects in doubt.
Speaking ahead of Sheffield United's game against Wolves this weekend, Chris Wilder said that Ireland defender is still some way away from full recovery although they hope he can return before the end of the season. He also admitted that the player's future at the club was uncertain with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
It's going to be tight, but we've had him down to hopefully come back before the end of the season...
If John's available and if we need him towards the end of the season he's certainly someone we can rely on and we'd be stronger with his experience, his know-how and his ability...
I think it's quite a difficult one because we've talked about availability at this football club and it's huge. The availability of the players for quite a long period has not been great, and it affects everything...
It's the biggest thing. I've said to the board we definitely need players that are available, whatever division we're in and through that, you have to make decisions on players and we have to make sure that we get it right as well.
That isn't being negative to the likes of Basham and John Egan who've been outstanding and for me, I'd love them to still be part of things moving forward. But we have to make sure that John gets back to full fitness and that is not just an emotional signing, because of what he's done in the past.
Everyone knows all these lads have got to contribute, whether it's next year in the Prem or next year outside of the Prem.
John Egan will be hoping that he can make an impact at some point before the end of the season, with negotiations surrounding a new contract made much more difficult if he is still nursing that long-term injury.
From an Irish perspective, it would be great to see him back in action as soon as possible.
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