Kevin Blackwell has received clearance to recruit a new midfielder on loan when the Football League re-opens for business next week following Michael Tonge's transfer deadline busting move to Stoke.

And the United manager, who is focusing his search on the Premiership, is also believed to have resurrected his interest in bringing a new winger to Bramall Lane.

With Tonge completing his £2m switch to the Britannia Stadium just seconds before Monday's midnight cut-off point, Blackwell is determined to bolster his squad ahead of the September 13 fixture at Pride Park.

He told The Star: "I'm looking at bringing someone from the Premier League.

"That's the quality we're looking at.

"We'd certainly like to get one player by the time our next game comes around but if we can get two then it's something we'd certainly be interested in doing.

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"We'll have to see what happens but we know the positions where we want to strengthen.

"What I'm looking at is getting someone here until December, that's the period I'd like to get someone for.

Blackwell added: "I didn't want to get a call about Michael but in the end one came.

"It was late on, well past 10 o'clock, and the deal only just went through in time.

"I didn't want to lose him but, when we weighed everything up, and given the fact that playing at the highest level was obviously of interest to Michael, it was decided that it was the right thing for everyone to do.

"It's a good fee."

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In time honoured tradition, Blackwell is refusing to elaborate on his list of targets, as he attempts to quickly fill the void created by Tonge's depature.

However, it seems likely that former United favourite Michael Brown, now with Wigan, will feature among the candidates being considered by coaching staff at Bramall Lane given his close ties with South Yorkshire.

Manchester United's decision to place Lee Martin with Nottingham Forest earlier this summer means Blackwell is also in the market for a left-winger and United are understood to be monitoring at least one home international involved in this weekend's round of World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Tonge has admitted it "feels strange" to have left United.

"It's not really sunk in yet," he said. "Everything happened very quickly and I've left some really good friends, a great bunch of lads.

"I'm sure United will do really well and hopefully I can help to keep Stoke up."

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