Sheffield United reach a decision about youth development

Sheffield United are prepared to sacrifice results at development level if it means exposing their younger players to competitive senior football.
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Chris Wilder, the Premier League club’s manager, made the admission ahead of Tyler Smith’s loan move to Rochdale AFC, where he joins his fellow Steelphalt Academy graduate Rhys Norrington-Davies in Brian Barry-Murphy’s squad.

Wilder, who effectively signalled the end of Ben Heneghan’s career with United after granting the defender permission to remain at Blackpool, said: “You can’t buy the experience of being involved with proper football and whenever there’s the chance, it’s something we want these lads to get.

“That is more important than the under-23’s winning games.”

Tyler Smith in training with Sheffield United's first team squad: Simon Bellis/SportimageTyler Smith in training with Sheffield United's first team squad: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Tyler Smith in training with Sheffield United's first team squad: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
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Smith, aged 21, spent the first half of the season with Bristol Rovers before switching to Spotland.

Heneghan, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, features on a list of players declared surplus to requirements by United before the transfer window reopened earlier this month.