The Sheffield United manager confirmed after Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Southampton that he has already drawn up a list of transfer targets as he looks to continue the progress shown since his arrival in February.

Halls, Blackwell's sole signing since returning to Bramall Lane, and Cotterill, recruited by Blackwell's predecesso , Bryan Robson, have both emerged as important figures since completing loan moves from Reading and Wigan Athletic respectively.

Versatile Halls, aged 26, is poised to become a free agent when his contract at the Madejski Stadium expires this summer.

Cotterill, 20, was substituted during the first half of the game at St Mary's - which marked the end of United's brave bid for the Championship play-offs - but his poor performance against Nigel Pearson's side is unlikely to influence Blackwell's thinking as he looks to inject some pace into his squad.

"I'll be speaking to David and John before the weekend," he told The Star. "We'll see what happens then.

"I want to have a chat with both of them.".

Blackwell is likely to trim his squad to a manageable 22 or 24 players and wants to nurture a harmonious atmosphere at Shirecliffe when his charges report back for training towards the end of June.

Cotterill, a Wales international, has been told he has a future at the JJB Stadium but Wigan are still thought to be ready to consider offers of around £1 million.

Should United pursue their interest, they will resist the temptation to fund the purchase by offloading Michael Tonge to Blackburn Rovers following reports the Premiership club are ready to submit a £4m bid for the midfielder.

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