KEVIN Blackwell wants to complete his summer recruitment drive by the time Sheffield United embark on their latest quest for promotion at Middlesbrough.
Having captured Lee Williamson from Watford earlier this month, Blackwell hopes to slide the second piece of the jigsaw - former West Ham winger Kyel Reid - into place before Monday's visit to Malta.
But the remainder of the puzzle could prove mor
e difficult to complete as the United manager finds his efforts to broker clean, quick deals thwarted by internal politics at rival clubs.
"The sooner we can get everything done, the better," Blackwell said after unveiling Williamson. "But we won't be rushed into rash decisions.
"If it means waiting for the right people then so be it."
READ MORE: Sheffield United's season to start a day earlyReid, who has represented England at under-17, U-18 and U-19 levels, is expected to be unveiled when he completes a medical.
Bristol City's Michael McIndoe, Andrew Surman from Southampton and Manchester City's Ched Evans are also targets.
Blackwell has already seen bids for Surman and Evans rejected but is refusing to admit defeat.
Senior figures at United recently poured cold water on claims they had rejected an offer from Everton for Kyle Naughton, but The Star understands that at least one Premier League outfit is investigating the possibility of tempting them with an arrangement which would see him remain in South Yorkshire on loan next season.
United's preparations for August 8's Championship opener at the Riverside will begin in earnest when they establish a warm-weather training camp in Malta.
A friendly against Hibernians had initially been arranged to conclude the five night tour but, with the Maltese champions facing Montenegrin opponents in a European qualifer this evening, that arrangement could be subject to change.
Got a view? Add your comment below. FREE E-MAG:
Click here to read our Twenty20 Cup 2009 e-mag for FREE on line. BUY ONLINE:
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. Sign up on line by clicking here. READ MOREFootball headlines.Football gossip.Blades newsOwls newsReds news.Millers news.More rugby.More boxing.Sports columnists.All sport categories 