Sheffield United: Transfer procedure is revealed

Adkins made the admission after revealing plans to sign “a couple” of new players before next month’s transfer deadline, with Fulham’s Dan Burn among those being considered by coaching staff at Bramall Lane.

Having seen his pre-season preparations disrupted by injury and confirmed United plan to cut the size of their squad, Adkins said: “We want players are robust. Players who can, in normal circumstances, be expected to play 40 or so games a season.”

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Although financial considerations are a factor behind Adkins’ decision to trim the options at his disposal, he added: “That way, if we get the numbers down, it also creates a pathway through for the young players. It’s vital that exists and it’s something that I’ve always placed great importance on.”

United, seventh in the League One table after drawing at Wigan Athletic three days ago, return to action when they visit Colchester tomorrow. James Wallace will not feature among the travelling party after being allowed to join Shrewsbury Town on loan earlier this week in an attempt to prove he can meet Adkins’ fitness demands following an injury plagued spell in South Yorkshire. Florent Cuvelier, whose contract also expires at the end of the present campaign, has recently resumed full training after recovering from a series of long-standing complaints.

United fought back from 3-0 down to claim a point against Wigan on Tuesday evening and Adkins said: “There’s a spirit in the group and we don’t want to endanger that by bringing lots of people in who might disrupt that.”