The 10 Sheffield United players out on loan - where are they, will they be recalled and where do their futures lie?
After the impressive work he has done with Sheffield United’s U23 side in recent times, it was somewhat inevitable that talk would turn to which Bramall Lane babes will be promoted to the senior squad when the former Barnsley and Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom was promoted to first-team manager last month.
As part of the strategic vision United’s hierarchy are convinced is the future, Heckingbottom will be expected to lean heavily on the Blades’ youth academy in his new role as ‘football manager’.
United have a number of youngsters out on loan at clubs further down the football pyramid, with Heckingbottom admitting that their temporary agreements will be looked at in January before a decision is taken on whether to recall them.
So, we took a look at 10 Blades players currently out on loan, assessing their immediate first-team prospects at Bramall Lane and whether their careers may be best served by being recalled or kept on temporary placements...
One of two Blades currently loaned out to Southend, Lopata has caught the eye with his performances on the south coast and the Shrimpers are hoping to keep him beyond the expiry of his loan at the end of this month. Another well known to Heckingbottom, he could be recalled as cover for John Egan after the switch to a back three – but that will be balanced against the benefit of him playing regularly Photo: Simon Bellis
Maguire was sent to Park Avenue after Oli Arblaster, his youth teammate at Bramall Lane, was recalled recently. Maguire has been with United’s academy since he was eight years old and has previously been named on the first-team bench. Still only 18, he has time on his side in terms of breaking into the Blades midfield Photo: Isaac Parkin
Now at Rochdale after a disappointing loan spell at Beerschot last season, Broadbent has made seven starts and five substitute appearances for the League Two side so far this term. Recently turned 21, he needs to nail down his place at Spotland and play a consistent number of games for the remainder of the season Photo: Simon Bellis
Alongside Lopata, Brunt has caught the eye at Southend but United may be minded to recall him and integrate him into the first-team squad, or possibly look to loan him out further up the football pyramid to accelerate his development. After a nomadic youth career, playing for numerous clubs on trial, he will hope to put down roots at United when he gets his chance Photo: Simon Bellis
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