Sheffield United: ‘Let me stay at the Lane’

Dean Hammond has urged Claudio Ranieri not to block his move to Bramall Lane.
Dean Hammond wants to stay at Bramall Lane ©2015 Sport Image all rights reservedDean Hammond wants to stay at Bramall Lane ©2015 Sport Image all rights reserved
Dean Hammond wants to stay at Bramall Lane ©2015 Sport Image all rights reserved

The Sheffield United midfielder, whose loan from Leicester City expires next month, issued the plea after confirming he wants to remain with Nigel Adkins’ side until the end of the League One season.

Hammond told The Star: “I honestly don’t know about my future. I want to stay though and I’m enjoying being at a big club like this. The decision is Leicester’s ultimately. It’s between them and Sheffield United. “But, if it is up to me, I’ll be staying. Definitely.”

Hammond, aged 32, has made 13 appearances since moving to South Yorkshire in October and is viewed by coaching staff as a future United captain. Ranieri, Adkins’ counterpart at the KP Stadium, was informed before Monday’s victory over Bradford City that United want to extend his temporary agreement before signing the former Southampton captain permanently in June. That plan could be rolled forward if City terminate Hammond’s deal or let him leave on a free transfer.

Hammond, who is contracted to the top-flight club until the summer of 2016, added: “It’s taken me a little bit of time. I needed to get some proper fitness and I needed to adapt again to playing week in and week out. But I’m enjoying being here. I’m understanding my role more and I enjoy being at this football club.

“You want that bond with the fans. They’ve stuck with us. They’re passionate and they expect but you want that as a player. They were sucking the ball into the net second-half (against Bradford) and it’s a great feeling when that happens.”