Sheffield United: In-form Matt Done's out to make up for lost time

The striker netted a brace on Thursday evening as Chris Wilder’s side beat a Murcia Regional Representative Squad 4-1, after also scoring twice in United’s opening friendly at Stocksbridge Park Steels last weekend.

And the former Rochdale man, who was out for two months last season after breaking his collarbone in a friendly at Matlock, said: “The team wants to play well and win, and I want to score goals.

“If we can take that momentum and confidence into the season, then we’re up and running.

“I didn’t have a successful pre-season last year, as I missed a few months, but I really want to put that behind me now and really hit the ground running.”

United travelled to La Manga on Sunday to step up their pre-season preparations, ahead of their League One season opener on August 6 at Bolton Wanderers. They next face FC Halifax Town on Tuesday before facing Grimsby Town, Championship side Derby County and local neighbours Handsworth Parramore.

“To be fair to the two teams we’ve played, you can only beat what’s put in front of you,” Done added.

“The gaffer seems delighted that the lads have applied the philosophy he wants, and that’s all we can do.

“It’s never easy to come abroad - we’ve got to acclimatise to the heat and everything, and there’s a different fitness factor. If we’d done these sessions back home, at Shirecliffe, we’d find it tough but that’s magnified because of the heat.”