Sheffield United: Blades set to complete midfielder swoop

Nigel Adkins hopes to sign Dean Hammond on a permanent contract when his loan from Leicester City expires.
Dean Hammond is poised to extend his loan at Bramall Lane ©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedDean Hammond is poised to extend his loan at Bramall Lane ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Dean Hammond is poised to extend his loan at Bramall Lane ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

Hammond, whose temporary agreement with the League One club is set to be extended until the end of the season, has entered the final six months of his deal with Claudio Ranieri’s side and is thought to be keen on a more long-term arrangement at Bramall Lane.

The midfielder, who two years ago helped City reach the Premier League, won back to back promotions with Southampton during Adkins spell in charge at St Mary’s.

Nigel Adkins says Hammond is happy at Sheffield United ©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedNigel Adkins says Hammond is happy at Sheffield United ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Nigel Adkins says Hammond is happy at Sheffield United ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

MORE BLADES NEWS

Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins takes his side to Colchester tomorrow 
©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedSheffield United manager Nigel Adkins takes his side to Colchester tomorrow 
©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins takes his side to Colchester tomorrow ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

The United manager said: “I’m expecting Dean to get done. It will be a loan until the end of the season and everybody is happy with the situation. He’s playing, he’s working hard and I know he’s enjoying himself. We’ve talked before about what a great club this is, when the fans get rocking. He’s seen what happened at Southampton and Leicester when it was like that. That’s what Dean wants to be involved in, things like that.”

Adkins, whose side visits Colchester tomorrow, added: “The important thing is to get this sorted first. To make sure that he’s with us and that he’s working hard. People often say ‘Would you like to go to war with someone? Would you want them alongside you in the trenches?’ Dean is someone you’d want in the trenches with you. Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard. We’ve got players who have talent, maybe they need to understand even more what it is to be a pro’. We’ve got several senior players who know now and Dean is in that mould.”