The next 72 could go some way towards deciding whether David Cotterill and Lee Martin will spend the 2008/09 season sharing a common bond.

Having spent the second half of the Championship campaign on loan at Sheffield United, the two wingers met up again before yesterday's title decider at the home of Wigan Athletic after returning to their parent clubs.

Cotterill, who is valued at around £1.5 million by Steve Bruce, emerged as one of the driving forces behind United's remarkable renaissance under Kevin Blackwell and has spoken of his interest in completing a permanent transfer to Bramall Lane.

Martin is also contemplating pastures new after confirming that first-team opportunities are unlikely to be forthcoming at champions Manchester United.

"It's difficult to sort anything out until after the Premier League season has finished," Blackwell said. "Until such time, Premier League clubs, quite understandably, don't want to take decisions on which players they will be keeping and which players they are prepared to let go.

"I want to speak to the players involved and then to Wigan and Manchester United.

"And that's when we'll see what might happen."

Martin's situation could be complicated by Manchester United's involvement in the Champions League Final.

But Blackwell has identified a lack of pace as one of United's key weaknesses, so the Taunton-born winger represents an intriguing option.

Another former United loanee, Reading's John Halls, is also waiting to discover whether Blackwell will offer him a contract.

His present deal at the Madejski Stadium expires shortly.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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