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Sheffield United signing on cards for tonight's Preston trip
SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Kevin Blackwell hopes to complete his first signing of the emergency loan window before tonight's visit to Preston North End.
Having seen injuries to several key players, including goalkeeper Mark Bunn and captain Chris Morgan, once again leave his squad teetering on the brink of a defensive crisis, Blackwell is understood to have held talks with a number of Premier League clubs following Saturday's draw with Derby County.
The departures of Kyle Walker and Matthew Kilgallon have exasperated United's selection problems.
But despite expressing concerns about the number of temporary players already on his roster, Blackwell admits the situation needs addresssing after watching a make-shift back four given a torrid time by Nigel Clough's side.
"I've got to try and bring at least two people in because we're asking lads to play out of position and that's no good for anyone," he said.
"Toni Kallio, who we brought here from Fulham, was originally down as a full-back but had to play in the middle and Jordan Stewart, who is a midfielder rather than a full-back, is being forced to do a job for us down the left.
"I thought we were over all of this but the problems with injuries have really come back.
"There's nothing we can do to stop them because the boys are picking-up problems that we just can't legislate for."
Although Blackwell has refused to elaborate on his list of targets, negotiations are believed to have taken place with officials at both Sunderland and Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger, Blackwell's counterpart at the Emirates Stadium, has proven especially keen to allow youngsters to further their football education at Championship level with last year's FA Youth Cup winning side, captained by Kyle Bartley and containing the likes of Craig Eastmond and Thomas Cruise, one possible source of talent while The Star has learned that discreet talks are also taking place with Tottenham Hotspur aimed at securing Walker's release from White Hart Lane after the England youth international was recalled midway through his season long loan.
Despite the lack of options at their disposal, United travel to Deepdale seventh in the Championship table.
Blackwell said: "I always enjoy going to Preston because it's a proper football club.
"They've actually had much more stability than us since we met in the play-off semi-finals last season but we just have to try and get on with things.
"Whenever we meet it usually tends to be a really good game."
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
