Sheffield United: Positive talks with international managers

A number of countries which failed to qualify for the World Cup, including Greece, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, are scheduled to be in action before the competition begins in Qatar on Sunday.

But after seeing injuries threaten to undermine United’s encouraging start to the Championship season, Heckingbottom confirmed he spoke with the likes of Stephen Kenny and Gus Poyet about the issues he has faced since August before their selections were made.

“I had conversations with the national team managers, about what’s been happening here,” Heckingbottom said. “As much as we want players to go away and get caps, as much as I understand and appreciate why they want to do it and how desperate they are to do it, I have to consider us. My job is to do what is right for us.”

Although John Egan was always certain to be called-up by Ireland, given that he is their captain, Kenny appears to have sympathised with Heckingbottom’s position ahead of their meetings with Malta and Norway. Enda Stevens and Ciaran Clark, who could also have featured after recently returning to the first team fold, were both omitted while George Baldock was granted leave of absence by Poyet, now in charge of the Greeks.

“I’ve got to protect us,” said Heckingbottom, whose side are second in the table despite being without 12 senior players. “But we can work together.”