Sheffield United: Adkins wields the axe

Manager Nigel Adkins indicated earlier this month that Higdon, who recently completed a spell at Oldham Athletic on loan, was free to find another club and, following talks with the 32-year-old’s representatives, yesterday announced he had departed Bramall Lane.

Dimaio, meanwhile, has joined Chesterfield on a short-term basis having worked closely with Chris Morgan, now Danny Wilson’s assistant at the Proact Stadium, with United’s under-21’s.

Higdon, signed by Adkins’ predecessor Nigel Clough, is likely to have received a severance package from United after agreeing a 24 month deal with the option of a third following his departure from NEC Nijmegen in August 2014.

Previously of Crewe Alexandra, St Mirren and Motherwell, Higdon made 24 appearances for United, scoring five goals, before his spell at Boundary Park.

Dimaio, aged 20, was born in Chesterfield but graduated from the Steelphalt Academy when he made the first of his four senior outings for United against Crawley Town two years ago.