THERE have been no toes crushed by falling ketchup bottles. No injuries sustained walking the family pooch.
Having avoided falling victim to some of the bizarre accidents which have struck fellow professionals in recent seasons, a full complement of Sheffield United players reported for duty at Shirecliffe this morning to prepare for another gruelling Championship campaign.
"The hard work starts here," manager Kevin Blackwell said. "Well, for them anyway.
""We've got everyone available and that's exactly the start I wanted. So far so good."
Together with Dean Riddle and Carl Serrant, Blackwell has devised a punishing fitness schedule to ensure his squad is in perfect shape by the time they visit Birmingham City on Saturday 9 August.
Although final decisions will be left until after the final warm-up game at Huddersfield, Blackwell's determination to offer everyone a clean slate means any false moves over the course of the coming weeks will colour his thinking.
Today's session will be used to brief players on the rules and regulations they will be expected to adhere to under Blackwell's regime. The calm before the storm...
Paddy Kenny and Ugo Ehiogu will be spared the full monty after recent surgery.
Directors have announced that they are taking steps to increase their financial muscle in the transfer market.
"The Blades Board and Scarborough Group – which is owned by plc chairman Kevin McCabe and his family - are considering options by which Scarborough may roll over its current £10 million loan into convertible loan notes," a statement read.
"Detailed terms are still to be agreed between Scarborough and the board and will be subject to approval by shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
"It is envisaged that further funding will be sourced from various parties associated with Scarborough and Sheffield United on the same terms as the convertible loan notes proposed to be issued to Scarborough.
"This change has been undertaken to ensure that the required finance is in place in good time for the summer transfer window as the previously suggested open offer process would have taken considerably longer to complete.
"The focus on the new options follows confirmation of the withdrawal by Scarborough for the time being of the cash offer for the remaining shares made last month (May)."
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 423 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
