Sheffield United F.C.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has said he doesn't think the club will be able to sign Dean Henderson from Manchester United on a permanent basis. 

The goalkeeper has been one of the standout players for the Blades this season, as they sit in eighth position in the Premier League following their promotion last season.

The form of Henderson has prompted some questions over his long-term future, with this his second season on loan with the Sheffield club. Amid speculation the Blades will try to acquire him outright, Wilder said that type of deal isn't one they will be able to do, per Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News:

"It won't be on a permanent basis, definitely not. His future is at Manchester United, no doubt. If the opportunity came about that figure would be huge. If the opportunity comes about that we could get him back on loan next season we'd be all over that.

"... He wants to play first team football. Maybe I shouldn't be saying this, but I'm not so sure he'll play back-up to anybody because it's just the character of the boy.

"Maybe he'll come out and say it. If there's a decision for Manchester United for him to come out to us for another year. We'd gladly take that. We've already started talking with them, but he's their player and that decision will be made on behalf of Manchester United and their player, but he's been outstanding for us."

Henderson produced one of his best performances of the season on Tuesday in a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City. The 'keeper made a number of excellent saves, including this penalty stop from Gabriel Jesus:

Jesus penalty denied by Dean Henderson!!! 🔴⚪️

Stutter fools no-one, perfect height...Bramall Lane erupts😲 pic.twitter.com/2SpNA9zYhJ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2020

His record stopping penalties is exceptional:

Dean Henderson has saved 50% of penalties he has faced in senior club football, or five from 10.

At all levels including U21 international, he's saved seven of 15, or 47%. Those are both extraordinary levels.

— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) January 21, 2020

Henderson came through the United academy and has clearly benefitted from his time on loan. Now he finds himself in an interesting position in regards to his long-term future.

David De Gea is the first-choice goalkeeper with the Red Devils and has long been regarded as one of the best in the world. However, the Spaniard hasn't been as consistent over the last couple of campaigns.

James Robson of the Evening Standard thinks the England youth international should be in contention at Old Trafford:

Dean Henderson looks every bit the modern goalkeeper. If he was back at United, he’d be putting serious pressure on De Gea, whose kicking and general form is a concern #mufc pic.twitter.com/lYkRuSMfBr

— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) January 22, 2020

Rich Fay of the Manchester Evening News thinks United should put stipulations in place if they do decide to sell in the summer:

Dean Henderson is adding an extra few million to his transfer value ever week. Incredible talent who United should demand a huge fee for, with a buyback clause, if he's sold this summer #mufc

— Rich Fay (@RichFay) January 21, 2020

De Gea signed a new contract in September and given the lucrative salary he's earning, it would be a big decision by the United manager to replace him with a youngster like Henderson.

Sheffield United appear happy to help Henderson's development for the time being, and at this point it feels as though another season on loan at Bramall Lane would suit all parties.

The clock is ticking. Time is running out. After a rare lull on a frenetic day of transfer activity at Sheffield United's Shirecliffe training base, now enveloped by the South Yorkshire night, there is suddenly a chink of light. A deal the club have been working on for two days can be completed.

"Game on?" asks Chris Wilder, the manager, to Carl Shieber, the head of football administration, after he takes an unexpected call from the selling club, who have decided to resurrect the deal.

Shieber raises his eyebrows. He waggles his hand. It will be touch-and-go. They have got 15 minutes until the 11 p.m. deadline. But there is another problem. No one knows where the player is. A call is put into the agent.

"Call us sharpish," says Paul Mitchell, head of recruitment. "There's something to be done. They've come back to us."

This was the denouement to an extraordinary 15-and-a-half hours on deadline day at the Championship club. The day had begun with five players set to sign and two to leave. All Wilder and his team had to do was get the deals over the line.

With unprecedented access, Bleacher Report takes you behind the scenes of everybody's favourite episode of the football soap opera. The fans love it. The managers loathe it. A day when agents hold all the power, transfer fees double at the last minute and players go missing on their way to medicals.

      

7:30 a.m.

An early start for Wilder. Just as well. Best laid plans have been thrown into chaos. Ched Evans, the striker, may need an ankle operation. And the agreements Wilder thought would be relatively simple to conclude are beginning.

A week earlier, the signings Jerome Sinclair, the Watford forward, and the 19-year-old West Ham United prospect Domingos Quina, were "all but done." But "we've been let down," Wilder says, twiddling his mobile phone through his fingers. "Today is gonna be mad. You won't believe it. It'll be the maddest yet."

For the first time that day, we hear his phone ring. It won't stop until 11:30 p.m. It's a player Wilder knows at another club. He wants to ask him about a centre-half he's interested in. "Is he mobile," Wilder asks. "Can he get up the pitch?"

He ushers us through into the transfer bunker. A small, auditorium-style room where analysts are perched on the top bank feeding data and clips to a cinema screen below. Wilder, assistant manager Alan Knill, Mitchell and first-team coaches discuss the strengths of their targets.

It is difficult to keep up. Punching the initial CD on the board with a marker pen Wilder says, "He'll give us pace in behind." Knill says of another, "He can play all shapes, all combinations." The other initials after Sinclair and Quina are CD, DC and BH. Shieber pops his head around. "Anything you want from me?" "Pizza," laughs Wilder. "And 10 million quid."

      

8:15 a.m.

In his office, Wilder reclines slightly in his chair and puffs out his cheeks. It's as if he's bracing himself for the twists and turns to come. "It never goes smoothly," he says. "Just wait and see." But so far the portents are good. He gives an update on the deals that are in the pipeline and the names behind the initials.

CD is Clayton Donaldson, a 33-year-old striker from Birmingham City. He has lodged a bid for BH—Ben Heneghan, the Motherwell centre-back. "We think that'll be accepted," he says. They have also been told that Devante Cole, the Fleetwood Town striker and son of former Manchester United man Andy, wants to come. And he might be available for free.

"Sinclair and Quina are almost there," he says. "We've agreed the deal with Watford, and it should have gone through last week, but there was a delay because he needed more time. But he'll be leaving any minute now to come up up here and finalise it. Quina is in Portugal but will have a medical out there and the paperwork is all done."

       

8:53 a.m.

The first shot of Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp in his car appears on Sky Sports News.

       

9:08 a.m.

Mitchell, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of every player in the professional leagues from watching six games per week, pipes up. He has known Wilder for 25 years. "It looks chaotic," he says. "But all the work has been done on these players."

They have been watched, assessed and analysed to make sure they fit United's criteria for the way they play. "There's a 15-point checklist that looks at technical, tactical and psychological areas," Wilder says. "Few players tick them all, but these boys are all scoring well."

       

9:47 a.m.

In Wilder's office, Sky Sports News' ticker tells viewers that "Domingos Quina is having a medical at Sheffield United." Looking up from his phone, Wilder says: "They know more than we do."

       

11:08 a.m.

After a lull, a flurry. Phones are ringing constantly. Heneghan is travelling down for a medical even though the bid for him has not yet been accepted. Wilder takes a call from Redknapp about Donaldson. The deal looks like a goer. "Top, top, top man Harry," Wilder booms. Mitchell says, "I think we might get all these deals done." An air of positivity breezes through the coaching staff office.

Next door, the players are milling around eating breakfast before light training. Three of them, it becomes clear, could be here for the final time. John Brayford has agreed to terminate his contract and move to Burton Albion, more than six clubs have asked about taking winger Nathan Thomas on loan and Scunthorpe United want targetman James Hanson.

        

11:20 a.m.

Wilder is on the phone to Shieber, who is in another part of the training complex. Details of the Donaldson transfer begin to emerge. It will be a loan with a view to a permanent move. But there will be a loan fee. "These loan fees are new," Wilder says. "I can see why clubs do them, but I don't necessarily agree with them. Could be fifty grand. Could be a hundred with clauses like more money due when we stay up or if we go up."

Wilder talks with Mitchell about selling Hanson to Scunthorpe for £200,000 to fund the Donaldson signing.

        

11:42 a.m.

Thomas does not want to go on loan. "Fine by me," Wilder says. "But his agent wants to talk with him after training. This is the influence agents have you see. The agent knows one of the clubs has money, so down the line they might try to buy him, and he'll get a cut. The kid is perfectly happy here."

Mitchell lists some of the clubs who are interested. To one of them, Wilder snarls: "He's not going there. He'll be tracking back all day."

         

12:34 a.m.

Wilder comes off a phone call from Andy Cole, Devante's dad. "He's saying they've told him he can leave on a free, so we're waiting to hear from Fleetwood."

The waiting game continues with Motherwell and Birmingham. "It's hectic, but the whole window is," Shieber says. "We've got a certain amount to spend or use, which was cleared with the board last night on email. I'll spend most of the day agreeing terms with agents before the players get here to speed things up."

       

1:21 p.m.

With training finished, the coaching staff return. They catch up with the latest and share gossip from around the clubs. "He's got four or five players queuing outside his door," Mitchell says about one Championship boss. Coffees are made and chocolates are passed around.

Wilder, who spent the most recent deadline day getting married, swings around in his chair and suddenly looks worried: "Got a funny feeling about Sinclair, you know? Not heard from the boy's agent to say when he's getting here. What is it, three, four hours' drive from London? A hundred and sixty-nine miles?"

       

1:50 p.m.

There have been crossed wires over the Donaldson deal. United thought it was a loan. But Wilder is told it could be a straight fee. "Better for us," Wilder says. "He's then our player outright." So how does that work? Does Shieber decide what is a fair price, or is it down to Wilder? "We'll be consulted," he says. "We've pulled out of deals in the past, like for Lee Holmes, who went to Charlton Athletic for £600,000. We thought that was too much."

No sign of Sinclair.

       

2:34 p.m.

Wilder gets Sinclair on the phone. A frown creases his forehead. "You're still in St Albans?" Wilder gives him a pep talk about the lure of Championship football in front of 27,000 people every week. Later, Shieber tells Wilder on the phone of a story of Sinclair "getting lost, having a puncture" and arriving too late to do a permanent deal to Birmingham so it had to be turned into a loan.

"Same thing's happening again," Wilder says as they spy each other on either side of the car park as they head to the canteen. But it's not the player's fault, he says. He wants to come.

       

3:24 p.m.

Birmingham have moved the goalposts again for Donaldson. And the signing is in doubt. "This is the madness of it," Wilder says. The deal was agreed for a free transfer with some "small" clauses like a promotion fee. But suddenly, Birmingham have asked for £200,000. "They say another club is interested," he says. "That's fine. We'll sit tight." As for the others Quina is "all but done," Sinclair is due to arrive on the 6:20 p.m. train from St Pancras, Heneghan's arrival is imminent after Motherwell accepted the bid while the Cole still deal hinges on Fleetwood's ability to sign a replacement.

     

3:33 p.m.

Heneghan arrives. He says he's "buzzing" to sign. At 6'4", he towers above Wilder, who greets him warmly and introduces him to the coaching staff. He goes off to "cross the t's and dot the i's" with his agent, Jake Speight.

     

3:48 p.m.

The tension is ratcheted up a notch as, unexpectedly, all deals, apart from the one for Heneghan, hang in the balance. Sinclair's agent has called Shieber to say he wants more money. Wilder's brow is furrowed again. "No, no, no," he says. "Can't do that. It's all been agreed with Watford for a week. It's almost 4 p.m.!" Shieber and Wilder speculate as to whether another club is on the hook. Who will blink first?

        

4:21 p.m.

The Donaldson deal is back on. "It's happening," Wilder says. "Looks like we're paying £50,000." Knill doesn't look up from his phone, opining: "That's a real good one, that. A real good one." Wilder nods. "But we need Devante done."

         

4:31 p.m.

Donaldson's deal is in the balance again. "It's gone from a loan to 200 grand in total, including clauses," Wilder complains again. "I'm calling Harry—I know he'll sort it."

      

5 p.m.

Henegan has signed his contract and the numerous registration documents. But there can be no announcement yet, says Kevin Cookson, United's head of communications. "The last thing I do is call my counterpart with Motherwell to agree when we announce it."

It's proof that deals are often all but sealed hours before the fans, desperate for a signing, are told about it.

       

5:40 p.m.

Sinclair is on the train, but his capture is far from certain. Wilder calls another Championship manager to ask how to deal with an agent suddenly upping the price at the last minute: "It's gone up by 50 per cent!" United's efforts to sign five new players look like yielding just one.

       

5:49 p.m.

The bad news comes thick and fast. "An agent is telling me we might have to pay £500,000," Wilder says. "He was free this morning." The jovial scenes of the morning are a distant memory. Wilder and his coaches try to second-guess the Sinclair situation. "If it weren't happening, the agent would have told him to get off the train and go back to London."

      

6 p.m.

"Look at this message from an agent offering these Villa players," Wilder says. "This one must be on £54,000 per week." He goes outside for what looks like an intense conversation with Shieber. When he comes back in, he says glumly: "Sinclair and Quina deals are off." Quina as well? "Yep. Same agent. He says the two are linked so we have to take both or neither of them." What about Cole? "At £500,000 that's definitely off."

        

6.20 p.m.

Heneghan's paperwork is signed, completing a year-long pursuit. "It really all kicked off last night, though," says his agent. But Motherwell have to sign the same documents as United. And they all have to be scanned. It's a process that takes time. A Sheffield United fan, irked by no transfer activity, tweets "Countdown to meltdown."

       

7:13 p.m.

Wilder's spidey sense is tingling. "I've got a feeling Devante's gonna come up." Even so, Knill texts Hanson to say he's not going to Scunthorpe. They can't risk losing him. Mitchell calls Devante's agent and suggests he gets in a car to the training ground to save time in case a late deal is possible.

       

7:25 p.m.

Shieber walks into Wilder's office. A cool customer up until now, he looks disturbed. "I can't believe this," he says. "We are now being told by an agent the fee for Devante has gone up to £1.2 million." Meanwhile, it emerges Sinclair has been sat at Sheffield train station, waiting for his agent to tell him whether he is signing.

      

8 p.m.

Mitchell is trying to resurrect the Cole signing. He calls Paul Stretford, his agent. The club doctor, who conducts the medical, returns from The Co-op with two chocolate cakes and two lemon drizzle cakes for the final push. Wilder takes a call from the club owners, who want an update on the Sinclair and Quina deals. "Nothing doing," he says. "I don't want the club to do deals that way."

        

8:35 p.m.

Redknapp has sorted the Donaldson deal, and Birmingham have climbed down from their demands for £200,000. He is on the road with his agent for a medical. Progress is beginning to be made for a late run on Cole, which surprises Shieber:"Normally, if you haven't got a deal in place by 7 p.m., it won't happen because of the time needed to do the paperwork, get the player to the club and do the medical."

       

9:08 p.m.

Wilder and Shieber are talking about the mechanics of the Cole transfer. They think it could still happen. They are discussing the merits of a £200,000 fee with either an appearances payment to Fleetwood or a 25 per cent sell-on percentage. "They want £200,000 for 50 appearances," Shieber says.

"If he plays 50 times in our team, he will be doing very well for us," Mitchell says. "So that'd be a good deal."

      

9:23 p.m.

Knill: "When's Donaldson getting here?" Mitchell: "Dunno. But I hope he runs in behind quicker than he drives."

Sinclair, by the way, is just leaving Sheffield train station. He texted Wilder: "Train just getting in now, wish you and the lads all the best for the season ahead." Wilder says he can't help but feel "gutted for the lad. ... He wanted to play, he wanted to come here. So did Quina. That's two lads who wanted to be here but who have been messed about by the system. We'll be walking out in front of 40,000 at Sunderland next week; they'll be walking out in front of 400 at under-23 games. Crazy."

      

9:39 p.m.

Shieber is constantly on his phone now. He paces the corridors, occasionally breaking off to speak with Wilder, Mitchell or Knill. "Devante is no further forward," he says. But in the parlance of the day, it is "not dead." It could be a loan until January, and Fleetwood appear keen to get it over the line. "I'm getting the paperwork prepared now."

      

9:55 p.m.

Donaldson appears out of the gloom. Wilder stands in the car park, waving his iPhone with the torchlight switched on. "You still look 19," he says. The pair worked together when Wilder was in charge at Halifax Town 11 years ago. He has tried to sign him four times since. Donaldson immediately disappears into the bowels of the complex for a medical. The doctor will check his eyes, ears, mouth, nose, lungs, heart and abdomen. The physio his joints and muscular and skeletal systems.

      

10:35 p.m.

With Donaldson in the building and the end in sight, there is some joviality again. Wilder plays pool against the press officer. Wilder jokes that the loser has to run three times around the training field naked. But then Shieber's phone, which had been quiet for its longest spell, rings. It's Gretar Steinsson, Fleetwood's technical director.

"Why are they calling now unless they want to do it?" Wilder says, hopefully to no one in particular.

And the deal is on. Shieber has 25 minutes. Cole will not make it in time for a medical so will sign papers at his agent's office. Chaos reigns as Donna Fletcher, the secretary, runs to and fro with files of papers and contracts. But all the contracts have to be signed and scanned by all three parties. Shieber shrugs, rubs his head and winces.

"I think it's too late." Stretford, Cole's agent, calls Mitchell and asks to speak with him. As he hands over the phone, Mitchell quips: "Ask him for a signed Rooney shirt."

       

10:45 p.m.

Among the frenzied activity, Donaldson nonchalantly walks back in. Deal done. He is snapped for the ubiquitous deadline day picture, holding up the shirt of his new team.

       

11 p.m.

Time's up. A pile of papers six or seven inches high stand on Donna's desk. She is on the phone to Fleetwood. The paperwork was received from their end but too late. "The FA won't accept anything after the deadline," she says. "They're very strict. Gotta have a cut off somewhere, and there will be loads of clubs in this position."

      

11:10 p.m.

Wilder is wrestling with mixed emotions. It has, he says, been a successful day. "Two good players in." And it is the nature of the beast that on such a frenetic day, not all plans can come off.

"Said it would be mad, didn't I," he says. "I knew it would be bad, but not this bad. We've had three boys who were desperate to come and, for whatever reason—completely outside of the control of this football club—they're not here. I was on the phone to Harry Redknapp earlier. He's been a top manager for 25 years, and he says players are the victims on days like this. There's got to be a better way."

     

Visit Bleacher Report on Saturday for a mini-documentary about Sheffield United's chaotic deadline day.

Sheffield United have retracted their decision to allow convicted rapist and former Blades striker Ched Evans to return to train with the club.

Continue for updates.

Friday, Nov. 21

PFA Addresses Sheffield's Decision

Sky Sports provides PFA's response to Sheffield's decision on Evans:

A PFA statement says they still hope Evans will be given the chance to renew his career at another club. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/ROcbTKoOH5

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 21, 2014

Sheffield Won't Allow Evans to Train With Club

The League One outfit initially decided to let the 25-year-old use the training facilities at the club after he served half of a five-year conviction for the rape of a 19-year-old woman, per Owen Gibson in The Guardian.

Evans was freed from prison last month but no decision was made by United as to whether to re-sign the player. 

Having come under huge amounts of pressure after their decision, the Bramall Lane hierarchy have now retracted the offer, per the club's website:

Following the statement dated 11th November and after ongoing and extensive deliberation, Sheffield United Football Club has decided to retract the opportunity for its former player, Ched Evans, to use the Club's facilities for training purposes, as was previously intended. [...]

The Club initially accepted a request from The PFA for Ched Evans to be able to train. The reaction to this has been at an intensity that could not have been anticipated when first announced.

Indeed, Evans' case has been highly controversial with London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill saying she would request her name be removed from a stand named after her by the club if Evans received a new contract, per BBC Sport.

Furthermore, four of the club's patrons resigned their positions because of the issue, per Kunal Dutta in The Independent.

On the other hand, many have supported the Blades' original decision, suggesting Evans has a right to employment having served his sentence, per The Times's Matthew Syed:

Can't agree with @J_Ennis on Ched Evans. He has served his time. We should abhor rape, but also value the vital importance of second chances

— Matthew Syed (@matthewsyed) November 15, 2014

United's decision will likely be praised by some and condemned by others but the furore surrounding Evans is far from over.

Middlesbrough v Sheffield United, Championship, August 7, 2009

Middlesbrough EVS; Draw 11/5; Sheffield United 11/5

When Boro fans were left in tears after their Premier League relegation, many would have believed that Gareth Southgate’s squad would have been picked apart and their prized-assets stripped. Amazingly, the mass exodus never materialised, leaving the Wearsiders one of the hot favourites to claim promotion from the Championship.

On the outgoings at the Riverside, little could be done to prevent Ross Turnbull from joining Chelsea, the sale of Stewart Downing was inevitable, while the departure of the Mido on loan is arguably more of a blessing than a hindrance.

Of the core of the squad the remained, fantastic Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli still remains on the club’s books and, despite the fact that Tuncay has not played any football this summer mainly as a result of a couple of niggling training injuries, the experienced international is now back in full training and is expected to lead the line for the season’s opener.

Alongside Tuncay, Afonso Alves and Jeremie Aliadiere could also be drafted into the Boro attack, but it is unlikely that new signing Leroy Lita will receive the get-go from the whistle after the striker joined Southgate’s side from Reading.

Where Boro should boast the edge though is at the back. With the safe hands of Brad Jones protecting the goal, David Wheater, Robert Hugh, Emanuel Pogatetz and Justin Hoyte have more than enough top-flight experience to prove a difficult rearguard to breach. (Boro are 11/8 to keep a clean sheet against Sheffield United.)

Life has not been as smooth-sailing for Boro’s opponents on Friday night, as Sheffield United still try to recover from last season’s disappointment of finishing third in the league and losing in the playoff final to Burnley.

Since, the Blades have lost both their fullbacks as Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker both joined Tottenham this summer. Elsewhere, confusion still reigns over the future of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny after the custodian failed a drugs test last season, while Danny Webber and Ugo Ehiogu have both left Bramall Lane since last term.

It hasn’t been all doom and gloom though for Kevin Blackwell’s side. The arrival of striker Ched Evans from Manchester City could prove a stroke of genius, with the young Welshman possibly better equipped to deal with life in Championship than the Premier League, at this stage of his budding career. Darius Henderson is likely to partner the new recruit in the Sheffield attack.

Nevertheless, the outlook looks bleak for the Blades in the first match of the season. Boro still have a host of Premier League talent at their disposal and Southgate’s men should be too much to handle.

101predicts: Middlesbrough 2 - Sheffield United 1 (8/1)

Middlesbrough EVS; Draw 11/5; Sheffield United 11/5

Full match odds here.

FA Cup Preview: Sheffield United Vs Hull City, Bramhall Lane, Sheffield, Saturday 14th February, 2008, 15:00 GMT.

A lot has changed since Sheffield United last took on their Yorkshire rivals Hull City at Bramhall Lane. Kevin Blackwell will look to recreate the 2-0 victory that dented the Tigers chances of Automatic Promotion to the Premiership last season.

The Blades were still in the hunt for a playoff berth last season after Blackwell dragged the pround South Yorkshire team up from fifth from bottom of the Championship. However, the playoffs were a bridge too far for Blackwell's Blades, but maybe not this season.

This season the resharpened Blades are once again in the hunt for promotion and sitting in fifth place right in the chasing pack for that Automatic Promotion spot. Kevin Blackwell will be hoping that a good performance in the FA Cup against Premiership opposition will help to keep momentum for the rest of the season.

Last season the Blades managed to gain the scalps of Manchester City and Bolton from the Premiership before falling to Middlesbrough. They will be hoping to recreate some of that FA Cup magic and give Hull a St. Valentines Day Massacre.

The nucleaus of both defences are the same as last season with Sheffield United playing four of last season's victorious team (Kenny, Naughton, Naysmith and Kilgallon) in the loss against arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday last week.

Hull City have been boasting six Championship regulars from last season. From the last fixture between the to rivals, Rickets, Dawson, Turner, Marney, Ashbee, and Fagan are still regulars in the Hull City lineup. However, Phil Brown may well ring the changes for this fixture to rest first team regulars, as he has done in previous rounds.

Some of Brown's changes could be forced on him due to injuries, as record signing Jimmy Bullard is still struggling with a knee problem and could face a late fitness test along with skipper Ian Ashbee, Boaz Myhill and Craig Fagan.

Some good news on the horizon for the Tigers could be the return of Anthony Gardner who has been out of action for five months, along with the possible return of Nick Barmby who will be aiming to fight back into the Tiger's first team.

The Baldes also have some injury worries with Ugo Ehiogu, Gary Speed and Derek Geary all out and their influential skipper Chris Morgan still struggling with a hamstring injury. Kevin Blackwell will also have to contend with the suspension of star striker Darius Henderson who is suspended and the loss of Arturo Lupoli, Jamie Ward and Leigh Bromby who are all cup-tied.

Premiership class in the Championship may be overrated. Many of the players that have made the transition, or "step down" have struggled to keep up with the pace and power of Championship football.

Whilst the massive players like James Beattie and Kevin Phillips have certainly flourished in the league, many others end up struggling.

Andy Cole was a prime example as he announced his retirement from Nottingham Forest. He found it difficult to adapt and Colin Calderwood simply chose not to select him.

No club has quite recaptured the form of the players like Sheffield United have. They have many ex-Premier League stars turning out for them each week, and they have been performing well.

So far this season The Blades have not been doing so bad; sitting a healthy fifth position firmly in the promotion picture.

Kevin Blackwell assembled his squad with his tried and tested notion and it has been the pinnacle of his success.

The relegation in 2007 hit them hard, huge controversy surrounded the saga. Famously West Ham stayed up through a Carlos Tevez winner at Old Trafford. Last season was a year of transition and it is encouraging to see a good club like Sheffield United looking admirable again.

Last season they finished ninth but never looked like the side that achieved promotion with Reading and Watford in 2006.

Ex-Premier League talent came pouring in and soon it became the norm at Bramall Lane, high calibre players reaching the twilight of their careers were putting on the red and white strips.

Blackwell made a shrewd move bringing in these players; it may have been deemed that they may not be up to the task. However so far this season they have defied that belief.

The most prodigious one must be James Beattie. He has been scoring goals for fun since his £4 million move in the summer of 2007. The expensive price tag was justified as he supplied 22 goals last term and seven so far this term.

Beattie came with bags of Premier League, and scoring, known how. He scored plenty of goals for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Everton before deciding to take a step down to rediscover his touch.

Sun Jihai was a regular right back at Manchester City before joining the Blades, apart from his straight red card against Coventry City he has been performing well.

Gary Naysmith joined from Everton and is still good enough to be playing for a Premier League club. His £1 million pound transfer has been worthwhile as he has really tightened up the left side of defence.

Gary Speed has performed superbly at every club he has represented and it is no surprise that he has been doing the same at United. He currently holds the esteemed honour of racking up more Premier League appearances than any other player. After joining in January 2008, Speed has been vital in United’s recent success.

Keith Gillespie was another Premier League star who was touted for big things, unfortunately he never really reached those expectations. Neil Warnock signed him in 2005 to add experience and flair to his midfield, but times have been difficult and he is often found fighting for a spot on the bench.

Ugo Ehiogu is another experienced Premier League campaigner; he joined from Rangers also in January 2008. He certainly adds experience and much steel to the defence. Once costing £8 million, he has been the lynchpin at the back and has formed a good partnership with Chris Morgan.

These players have dropped down to the league and have done a good job, Blackwell must have been trying to preserve these players and prolong their careers. So far, he has been able to do that.

With more foreign influences invading the Premier League, the Championship may even be the next port of call for a new breed of English talent.

Sheffield United’s Captain Chris Morgan may be in a bit of bother as he his reckless challenge on Iain Hume has left the striker with a fractured skull and internal bleeding.

Barnsley are consulting their lawyers and considering legal action.

Hume, 25, has just recently been moved out of a high dependency unit in hospital after undergoing a very serious operation.

Morgan was only initially booked for the challenge but replays show a clear indication that the Sheffield United defender forcefully used an elbow whilst challenging for a header with Hume. This caused an angry reaction from Barnsley’s manager Simon Davey as he deemed the incident worthy of a straight red card.

Referee Andy D’Urso has been heavily criticised, Davey and assistant Ryan Kidd approached him at half time over Hume’s treatment by the Blades. D’Urso was a Premier League verified referee and this display adds to the poor refereeing currently in the Championship.

Stuart Atwell’s performances for the Reading v Watford and the Nottingham Forest v Derby County games were very much questionable.

In the Reading v Watford game, he gave a goal that clearly went a yard wide and gave a poor penalty decision at the end of the Nigel Clough Trophy game.

We can only hope the ex-Leicester City man can make a speedy recovery to this horrid, unusual injury.

The Blades have sent their sympathy, they are known to be "saddened" and "concerned" regarding Hume being monitored in a high dependency unit. They are clearly disgruntled and the threat of legal action hovering over the club and Morgan is certainly worrying.

United sit in a healthy position of fourth position and if the League hands further punishment to Morgan they would lose one of their stronger players. As for Barnsley, they will be missing a vital striker for a significant amount of time as they look to race clear of the relegation zone.

Atletico Madrid are looking at signing Barcelona’s Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, so the defensive player can join compatriot Javier Aguire and fellow defensive recruitments Johny Heitinga and Thomas Ujfalusi. (Sky Sports News)

The Spanish club have also abandoned plans to sign a host of players, such as Porto’s Lucho Gonzalez, Hamburg’s Rafael Van Der Vaart, Werder Bremen’s Diego and Juventus’ Thiago. This is because the players’ signings would disrupt the wage structure at the Vicente Calderon. (Sky Sports News)

Bristol City have had a bid for Nottingham Forrest striker Nathan Tyson turned down. The offer was believed to be around three quarters of a million. The former Reading player has one year remaining on his current deal, but he has been offered a two-year extension. Forest have also completed the signing of Wales striker Robert Earnshaw from Derby County for two and a half million. (Sky Sports News)

Tottenham are set to sign Crystal Palace’s 16-year-old first team player John Bostock subject to a tribunal agreeing a fee for the England youth International. (The Times)

Finland striker Mikael Forssell has left Birmingham and signed for German Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on a free transfer. (The Times)

Wolves and old firm duo Rangers and Celtic are battling it out for the four million pound signing of Burnley’s Northern Ireland International Kyle Lafferty after the player announced his intention to leave Turf Moor this summer.  

Derby County have completed a double raid on championship rivals Watford, by signing striker Nathan Ellington for one million and full back Jordan Stewart on a free transfer. (Sky Sports News)

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will get a four million pound pay raise to his current contract to stop interest in the Spain International from Chelsea. (The Sun)

Everton will bid eight million for Manchester City’s England International Michael Johnson this summer. (The Sun)

Wolsburg and Monaco are keen to take Manchester City’s Italian striker Rolando Bianchi away from Eastlands this summer. (The Sun)

Another striker on the brink of leaving Eastlands is Belgium International Emile Mpenza, who is being chased by Bolton, Leicester, Reading and Ipswich. (The Sun)

West Ham could be on the verge of signing Reading’s England left back Nicky Shorey, after five million was quoted by the royals. (The Times)

Sunderland hope to pip rivals Portsmouth and Aston Villa to the signing of Reading’s Ireland winger Stephen Hunt for five million pounds.  This is despite fact that the former Brentford is currently on his honeymoon, and negotiations not expected to be completed until mid-June. (The Times)

West Ham are willing to listen to offers of around five million for centre half Anton Ferdinand. Tottenham are rumoured to be readying a bid. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace will make a third bid for Sheffield United striker Danny Webber, after having two bids for the former Manchester United and Watford striker turned down in January. (Daily Mirror)

Former Scotland cap Kevin Kyle could be set to sign for Southend United to try to resurrect his fledging career. (Daily Mirror)

The old firm are both interested in Middlesbrough’s captain and Dutch International George Boateng. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa and Tottenham will go head to head with eight million pound bids for Manchester City’s England keeper Joe Hart. (Daily Star)

Juventus have signed Brazilian striker Amauri from Palermo for around 18 million, with Italian midfielder Antonio Nocerino going the other way. (The Guardian)

Wigan will sign Zamalek attacking midfielder Amr Zaki on loan if the Egyptian club can find a replacement. (The Guardian)

Southampton will try and resign Chris Baird from Fulham. The Northern Ireland right back would be available for a knock down price. (The Guardian)

Barcelona may seek out Inter Milan with a trade; The Catalans want to exchange their player Samuel Eto’o for Inter striker Zlatan Ibramovich in a straight swap. (Various)

Although apparently Barcelona are lining up a move for Thierry Henry’s International strike partner David Trezequet from Juventus. (L’Equipe)

Rangers want to sign Juventus’ Italian winger Raffaele Palladino for five million. (Daily Star)

Manchester United will allow reserve keeper Tom Heaton to join Cardiff City on loan in the hope of stealing a march on their rivals in the race to sign teenage prospect Aaron Ramsey. (Daily Mail)

Espanyol have turned down a 9.5 million pound bid from Liverpool for their former Manchester City and Spain winger Albert Riera. (Various)

Werder Bremen, Villarreal, Valencia and Bayern Munich are all interested in signing out-of-favour Peru striker Claudio Pizarro from Chelsea. (Bild)

Tottenham could sign both Giovanni Dos Santos and Richard Dunne in a 17 million pound deal, five million for Dunne and 12 million pounds for Dos Santos. (Various)

Coventry City, Norwich City and Leicester City are all interested in signing Luton Town midfielder David Bell. The versatile midfielder spent the end of last season on loan at Leicester City.

(Sky Sports News)

Coventry are also on the verge of signing Hibernian’s French midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin on a free transfer. (Sky Sports News)

Crystal Palace are prepared to take Tottenham to a tribunal over their attempted signing of sixteen year old prodigy John Bostock. The eagles are looking for a bigger financial package for the England U-17s captain, than the White Heart Lane club are offering. (The Metro)

Manchester United are preparing a thirty million pound offer for Seville’s Brazilian duo Daniel Alves and Luis Fabiano (The Sun)

Stoke City are to offer recently released Aston Villa midfielder Patrick Berger a twelve month contract to stay in the premier league instead of moving back to his native Czech Republic. (The Mirror)

Steve Bruce is chasing nineteen year old Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulosfrom AEK Athens for Wigan Athletic (The Mirror)

Derby County will ask for either Jon Stead or Rob Hulse as part of any deal involving taking Robert Earnshaw to Bramall Lane (The Sheffield Star)

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has finally lost the plot and put the entire City squad up for sale. (The Guardian)

AC Milan have released BothCafu andSerginhofor the summer and both are free to move on Bosmans (Sky Sports News)

Valencia have agreed to rescind the rest of Jose Santiago Canizares’contract at the Mestalla meaning he is another high profile free agent (Sky Sports News)

If Gary O’Neilleaves Middlesbrough, then boss Gareth Southgate will turn to Newcastle winger James Milner, with a five million pound offer. (The Sun)

Sevilla and Galatasaray have been put on alert with the news that Michael Landrupwill quit Getafe this Summer (The Mirror)

Manchester City could have to start their UEFA Cup campaign at Hudderfield’s Galpharm arena after a Bon Jovi concert interrupted plans for the pitch at the City of Manchester Stadium to be relayed. (The Guardian)

Marseille coach Eric Gerets admits that both Samir Nasri and Djibril Cisse could both leave if the club receive favourable offers for the pair. (BBC Sport)

Former Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong Gook has offers from five different Japanese clubs, all vying for his services  after he was released from the Riverside (Press Association)

Tottenham Hotspurs may be forced to sell Dimitar Berbartov to balance the books after Darren Bent’s lack of impact on the team and his crippling wages (The Times)

Bolton have released Andranik Teymourian, Ivan Campo and Stelios Giannakopoulos, but the whites hope that Ricardo Gardner and Jussi Jaaskelainen will sign new deals. (Sky Sports News)

Tottenham could face competition from AS Roma in the race to sign Bolivia Striker Marcelo Moreno.

Lee Carsleycould leave Everton and rejoin Birmingham City on a two year deal (The Sun)

Motherwell Striker Ross Mccormackhas put English clubs Wigan and Middlesborough on alert after admitting that he wants to move to England. (Daily Express)

AC Milan will turn there attention to Celtic’s Polish International keep Artur Boruc with a ten million pound bid. (Daily Record)

Rangers want to swap Northern Island International Steven Davis for Gabon International Daniel Cousinwith Fulham. (Daily Mail)

Derby County Striker Kenny Miller is on the verge of a return to Rangers. (Scottish Sun)

The Daily telegraph say that Samuel Eto’o no longer wants to leave Barcelona but the Sun say that AC Milan still snatch Eto’o from under Spurs’ noses.

Sunderland have joined the race for Manchester City captain Richard Dunne. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal will join Aston Villa in the race for Werder Bremen playmaker Diego if Alexsander Hleb leaves. (Daily Mail)

Preston North end are interested in Gretna keeper Greg Fleming (Daily Record)