Sheffield United Transfers: Boss reveals Blades will look to strengthen in January - but must "wait and see"

Heckingbottom has placed a new centre-half at the top of his January wishlist after succeeding Slavisa Jokanović in charge of the Blades last month.

The former Barnsley and Leeds United chief admitted in his unveiling press conference that there may be more ‘outs’ than ‘ins’ in the January window – but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t looking to add to his squad.

“We are looking to strengthen,” he confirmed.

Blades keeping a close eye on next opponent's Covid-19 situation after Boxing Day clash postponed

“We see where we need players and where there are gaps in the squad. Whether we can manage it or not, we will have to wait and see.

“In terms of the group and the players we have got in the building, I am more than happy. But when you factor in the consideration of Covid-19 and making sure we have got that right cover in key positions, then there are areas we are quite light on cover.

“With these times, you never know if and when you're going to need that.”

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A new defender was identified as a priority position after Heckingbottom confirmed he intended to continue with the 3-5-2 formation that Jokanović returned to towards the end of his Bramall Lane reign.

Jack Robinson is currently the only senior centre-half cover for the first-choice back three of Chris Basham, John Egan and Ben Davies, who is on loan from Liverpool and missed Monday’s win at Fulham because of personal reasons.

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