Sheffield United

Sheffield United
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has told strikers Tommy Johnson and Ashley Ward they are unlikely to be offered new deals in the summer. Johnson, 34, has managed just one start since joining the Blades in September. And Ward, 34, has struggled with injury in his two-and-a-half year stint at Bramall Lane, scoring just five goals. Warnock said: "Tommy feels he can play another season, so although we like what he does as striker coach, he'll probably be released in the summer." Warnock added on the club's website: "Ashley is back to fitness, he's worked really hard, and it's disappointing he's not been able to play more games. I'd imagine he'll have some offers too."

Cadamarteri linked with Bantams
Bradford City manager Colin Todd says he would consider signing former Bantams striker Danny Cadamarteri. The 25-year-old only left Valley Parade last year to join Leeds and has since moved to Sheffield United. "If Danny is fit and you can get the maximum number of games out of him, the he'd be a real threat in this League," Todd told the Telegraph & Argus. "He has still got a year left on his contract but I don't think they would stand in his way."

Defender Cullip back with Blades
Sheffield United central defender Danny Cullip has returned to the Blades after Watford opted not to make his loan move to Vicarage Road permanent. He played four games for the Hornets in the closing stages of the season. Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd told the club website: "Danny was what we needed on deadline day until the season's end. "I liked what he gave to the team but I will be looking for a slightly different type of player to take us into next season."

Helguson set to make Watford exit
Watford striker Heidar Helguson is set to leave the club after turning down the offer of a new three-year deal. The Icelandic international, 27, has been linked with Charlton, Stoke, West Ham, Leeds and Sheffield United. Helguson, who scored 20 goals last season for the Hornets, still has a year left on his existing contract. But the £1.5m signing from Lillestrom in January 2000 is believed to have demanded improved terms and now seems on the verge of leaving Vicarage Road.

Blades move for midfielder Nalis
Sheffield United have agreed terms with ex-Leicester midfielder Lilian Nalis. Nalis was one of six players released by the Foxes at the end of the season, with manager Craig Levein citing their high wages as the reason. Blades boss Neil Warnock told the club's website: "I am delighted to announce that after extensive talks Lilian has agreed to join us. "He is the type of midfielder I have been looking to sign since Stuart McCall stopped playing." He added: "He's the right age, the right temperament and I think he'll make us a better team. "Leicester's financial situation means he is one of a number of players being released. "Having spoken to Lilian at length he sees the challenge here as exciting and, being aware of a number of our players, he is looking forward to joining our squad in pre-season."

Blades complete swoop for Ifill
Sheffield United have completed the signing of Millwall winger Paul Ifill for an initial £800,000. Ifill, 25, has signed a three-year deal with the Bramall Lane club and the fee could rise to £1m depending on appearances and the Blades' progress. "He's a player I've wanted to sign for years," United boss Neil Warnock said. "He is the type of player we want - strong, quick, at a great age and I believe he could walk into a Premiership side already." Ifill becomes the Blades' second signing of the week, following the arrival of Leicester City midfielder Lilian Nalis. Warnock added: "I think with Paul, Lilian and two or three others I want to bring in, supporters can see we are trying to bring in the quality needed to supplement what is already a very good squad. "It's great for Sheffield United fans to see the club bringing in this type of quality because it shows just which direction the directors and I want the club to go in." Ifill has struggled with an ankle injury in recent months but recovered to play in the final few games of last season.

Blades manager expects more deals
Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock is expecting some more personnel changes at Bramall Lane in the next month. Warnock has already tied up ex-Leicester midfielder Lilian Nalis and winger Paul Ifill from Millwall. He told the club website: "It has been a good start, and I intend to bring more in within the next few weeks. "It may mean that we have to move players out to do some deals, but at the moment I am concentrating on bringing in the quality that we need."

Striker Webber seals Blades move
Sheffield United have agreed a £500,000 fee with Watford for Danny Webber. The striker, 23, scored three goals in seven appearances for the Blades after joining on loan in March. He scored 12 times for Watford before heading north. Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd has turned his attention to Swindon's Sam Parkin in the search for a replacement. He has made no secret of his interest in the prolific League One striker and has made a "substantial offer" in an effort to secure his services.

Players are listed by Blades boss
Sheffield United have transfer-listed Rob Kozluk, Nick Montgomery, Andy Liddell, Danny Cadamarteri, Paul Shaw, Paul Thirlwell and Luke Beckett. Manager Neil Warnock told United's website: "It doesn't necessarily mean that these lads will immediately leave. "But we cannot guarantee them first-team football and would like to make clubs aware they are available. "They still form part of the squad but may be sacraficed to bring in other new players or talented youngsters." The versatile Kozluk, 27, is the Blades' longest serving player having made almost 200 appearances since joining from Derby in 1999.

Geary pens new deal with Blades
Sheffield United full-back Derek Geary has signed a new contract at Bramall Lane for an unspecified period. Blades boss Neil Warnock told the club website: "The new deal is a reward for an excellent contribution last season. "Derek has made himself an important member of the squad and I see plenty more to come from him." Geary, 24, signed for the Blades from Stockport last season and scored his first professional goal in December when he scored the winner at Millwall.

City play down Cadamarteri hopes
Chairman Julian Rhodes has admitted it is unlikely that Bradford City will complete a deal to bring striker Danny Cadamarteri back to Valley Parade. Cadamarteri, 25, was transfer-listed by Sheffield United last week and Bantams boss Colin Todd confirmed his interest. But Rhodes told Bradford's website: "I am fairly confident that we will not be able to reach any form of agreement with regards a contract." Cadamarteri left City for Leeds last July, joining the Blades in September.

Blackpool boss cool on Beckett
Blackpool manager Colin Hendry has revealed the club are unlikely to sign Luke Beckett from Sheffield United despite agreeing a fee for the player. "We did as much as we can as a football club to sign him," Hendry told the club's official website. "We have spoken and agreed everything with the club but it doesn't look like it is going to happen, though you never know in football. "We are getting on with things and Luke was one we were monitoring." Beckett joined Sheffield United in November 2004 but has failed to establish himself in the first team and has since been loaned to Huddersfield and Oldham.

Johnson seals Scunthorpe switch
Scunthorpe have signed much-travelled Sheffield United striker Tommy Johnson. The 34-year-old was told last month by Blades boss Neil Warnock that he could leave and has now joined the Iron on a free after signing a one-year contract. Johnson started out at Notts County, and went on to play for Derby, Aston Villa, Celtic, Everton, both Sheffield clubs, Kilmarnock and Gillingham. He joined the Blades in February but, after making only one start, Warnock decided not to offer him a new deal

Cadamarteri returns to Bradford
Sheffield United striker Danny Cadamarteri has rejoined former club Bradford on a two-year contract. The 25-year-old was put on the transfer list by the Blades last season but negotiations over moving back to Valley Parade broke down over wages. Bantams chairman Julian Rhodes said he was not confident of agreeing a deal. But Cadamarteri, who left City for Leeds before joining the Blades last year, is believed to have lowered his demands in order to strike a deal.

Blades waiting to hear on striker
Sheffield United are still hopeful of signing Watford striker Heidur Helguson after making a bid for the 27-year-old. Helguson has rejected the offer of a new contract with the Hornets and the Blades are still hoping to sign him. "We have made an offer to Watford for Helguson," said Blades chief executive Terry Robinson. "At this moment they have chosen not to act on it but the bid is still in," he added of the player who also attracted a bid from Premiership Sunderland.

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