Billy Sharp's decision not to join Championship rivals Burnley has left Kevin Blackwell with a striking option that he seemed unlikely to have at his disposal.

With considerable interest in the striker from other clubs Sharp's future may well have lain away from Bramall Lane but his decision to stay put gives the United boss more clout in his attacking play:

"Burnley made an acceptable offer but the move didn't seem quite right to Billy.

"He is a great lad and playing for the Blades means so much to him, but that desire to succeed for his hometown club can be a bit of a burden for him to carry at times because everyone knows he wants to do well here.

"No manager likes to lose good players and if he does decide to stay he can only make our squad stronger in a tough and unrelenting division in which quality and strength in depth count for so much."