Sheffield United must act now in order to turn early relegation to their advantage

Placed in interim charge until the end of the campaign following Chris Wilder’s departure two months ago, Heckingbottom revealed the scouting and recruitment department established by the 53-year-old remains in place and is identifying potential targets ahead of next term’s return to the Championship.

But with their board of directors still refusing to confirm if Heckingbottom will be asked to continue at the helm or return to his role with the under-23’s, United are unable to try and piece together deals for any of its recommendations before the two other demoted teams are confirmed.

“Going down earlier, at least we know what our budget is and what our targets are likely to be,” Heckingbottom said, attempting to put a positive spin on what has been a wretched campaign. “We’re not having to waste time putting together two lists - one for if we stayed up and one if we went down - knowing one of them is never going to even be used.

“Obviously we’d much rather be doing that. Or even just one because we knew we were safe. But we aren’t and so we have to try and make the best of it.”

“The recruitment department is still here,” he continued. “In terms of the final decisions they will be made either by someone already here or who isn’[t at the club right now. There has to be input and clarity and that’s what we’re trying to bring.

“If everybody here right now really likes a player but then the person who really matters, the manager who comes in, isn’t really that bothered about them then it’s just a waste of money.

“For me, it’s just a waiting game. But there’s still a lot going on.”

Despite finishing ninth in the table last season, United’s fate was sealed midway through last month following a narrow defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Heckingbottom, whose main rival for the post at present appears to be Oostende’s head coach Alexander Blessin - even though he appears ineligible for a work permit - enters today’s home game against Crystal Palace hoping to mastermind his second win since replacing Wilder nearly two months ago.

Chris Basham and Sander Berge, who both made their returns from injury at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, are expected to be available for selection after reporting no adverse reactions following the fixture in north London. Jack Robinson is also understood to be on the verge of being declared fit by medical staff, although captain Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie are both ruled-out.

"We have to be at our best against anyone in this division to give ourselves the best possible chance,” Heckingbottom said. “Three of their four European finalists are from the Premier League and so that shows you what a tough division this is.”

An important message: Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details at https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports. Your support is much appreciated.