Sheffield United: A new wing back is now off the menu

The teenage midfielder, who could make his debut against Millwall today, became the fifth new face to arrive at Bramall Lane since the end of last season after the Premier League champions’ coaching staff sanctioned the deal.

With Jayden Bogle still recovering from the injury he sustained in February, Heckingbottom had been expected to complete United’s latest reprofiling exercise by drafting in a new wing-back to provide cover and competition for George Baldock in the 22-year-old’s absence.

But admitting that a shortage of suitable targets had initially complicated the search - Sean Robertson, previously of Crystal Palace, appeared on a trial basis against Burton Albion last month - Heckingbottom confirmed financial considerations mean he is preparing “to go with what we’ve got”.

“Ideally, I’d love to bring a wing-back in,” Heckingbottom said. “Resources wise, we can’t do it.

“I always work within what that I’m given. We have brought in mostly loans and frees and are happy with what we've done.

“It was difficult to find someone (to step in for Bogle) anyway,” Heckingbottom added. “I’m not going to lie to anyone about the deal.

“We had three or four who fitted the profile. But we aren’t able to do anything now.”

Although Heckingbottom could raise money by selling either Sander Berge or Max Lowe, who have both been linked with moves away from South Yorkshire, he confirmed: “I want this to be the end of our business, phones off and everything.”