SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell has mounted a staunch defence of his players after insisting that Bramall Lane's team spirit remained intact throughout their recent difficulties.
And Blackwell predicted the Championship club's mental strength means they still have a chance of forcing themselves back into play-off contention as the injury crisis which threatened to hijack their season begins to ease.
Despite seeing key players such as Derek Geary, Lee Williamson and Gary Naysmith make progress in their battles for full fitness, Ian Bennett's absence and concerns over a lack of cover at centre-half could force Blackwell back into the loan market before this evening's deadline.
United remain 14th in the table ahead of Saturday's visit to Bristol City despite claiming their first win since September by beating Peterborough last weekend.
Blackwell said: "Throughout all the problems we've had these lads have never, ever, let their heads drop. They've all stuck together through the bad times and hopefully now we can enjoy some better ones. They've known that we've had some very important names out and that, when everyone is available, we've got a very strong squad.
"That's no disrespect to the boys who have been playing but you need everyone available in this competition and that's not a luxury we've had.
"There has never been any question in my mind about their attitude or guts.They know that when everyone is OK we win a damn sight more than we lose."
Blackwell, who is understood to be targeting a goalkeeper and centre-half, is also finalising his plans for the January transfer window.
However, Newcastle could further expose the lack of depth within his squad if they succeed in luring Matthew Kilgallon to St James' Park before the 5pm cut-off point for emergency signings.
The centre-half is out of contract at the end of the season and apparently keen to engineer a move.
Blackwell's recruitment drive should be helped by United's latest set of figures which showed they made a £5.7m profit during the financial year compared to a loss of £6.3m during the previous 12 months.
Their salary budget is more than £12m but bank debt now stands at £2.313m.
Chairman Kevin McCabe, who last week appointed Trevor Birch as the club's new chief executive, said: "The world has changed and in leading Sheffield United in these difficult economic times the ability to adapt to change is vital in order to maintain the safe running of our famous club."
McCabe said: "The parachute funding from the Premier League ceased at the end of last season and thus the management of the football team has to be achieved within its budget.
"But make no bones about it, the budget Sheffield United has is well in excess of the majority of our competitors in the Championship."
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