Sheffield United: Chris Wilder blasts '˜precious' footballers as Blades consider double transfer swoop
Wilder, who last night confirmed Brown will be offered a permanent contract at Bramall Lane, also revealed Stewart could be handed the chance to resurrect his career in South Yorkshire after parting company with Ipswich Town earlier this term.
Brown, the former Bury defender, impressed coaching staff during Monday’s under-23 fixture against Queens Park Rangers and is set to hold talks with United before tomorrow’s visit to Scunthorpe.
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Hide Ad“If it’s a trial, it’s a trial,” Wilder said. Don’t get precious about it. You’re out of work and looking for a job. Many players are precious about it and they are struggling to find clubs. We just say, ‘there’s an opportunity, try and take it.’
“It’s no good them coming in and expecting a contract. They’ve got to earn a contract. We’re not a charity just to say anybody who walks in, because of your CV and your background, you can have one. The CV gives us an insight of where they can get to but we work in the present.”
Like Brown, who is expected to be offered a deal until the end of the season by United’s hierarchy, Stewart progressed through the ranks at Manchester United before joining Hull City in 2010. The 25-year-old subsequently headed to Portman Road but finished the previous campaign on loan at Doncaster Rovers.
Both are free agents and so are entitled to move outside of the transfer window.
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Hide Ad“I like a challenge, I’ve often picked up players that have found themselves out of favour,” Wilder said. “And, sometimes, it’s not their fault. It might be injury, a new manager not fancying them or a little loss of form. But I’ve never shied away from taking people whose careers might be at a crossroads. Plenty of players, who have gone on to do big things, have been on trial.”