Chris Basham speaks publicly for the first time since 'horror' injury during Sheffield United vs Fulham

Sheffield United defender Chris Basham has spoken publicly for the first time since his horrific leg injury against Fulham.

The 35-year-old suffered a gruesome ankle injury during the Blades’ 3-1 defeat to Marco Silva’s side at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

He fell awkwardly on his standing leg after attempting to dig out a cross in the first-half, and subsequent footage has shown his ankle bending in an unnatural movement.

Fulham's Tim Ream rushed to his opponent's side, shouting to the medical team for help.

Play was suspended for 14 minutes as Basham was treated by club doctors, before he was transported to hospital in an ambulance.

Nearly 24 hours after the incident moment, he has provided fans with an update on his condition.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday morning, Basham wrote: “Devastated with my injury in yesterday’s game.

"Had my first operation to clean things up and will have a second this week to make things right.

“I would like to thank the football world for their support in messages and social media posts, all my close friends and family to Sheffield United for taking care of me and Fulham for their support in the process, Tim Ream for being there and putting football aside. Catch up with updates in the coming weeks.”

Ream replied to the defender, commenting: "Thinking of you pal! Rest up and get right."

While the likes of Harry Maguire and former teammate Aaron Ramsdale poured in with support.

Speaking after the match, manager Paul Heckingbottom said on the incident: “No-one wants to see that, ever, and when you’re involved in it, and it’s one of your players, it’s far far worse.

“I’ve been on a pitch with a teammate and involved when it’s someone else but when it’s one of your players it’s tough and you can see that with the players.

“No [diagnosis] but you guys have seen the pictures, it’s terrible, it’s horrific.” He added: “We’ve lost a good player, had to make changes we didn’t want to change.

“We can’t blame that. It’s going to affect us but it’s going to affect us for the season.”

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