The return to the fold of James Beattie on Saturday may have put pressure on the Blades other strikers, but Kevin Blackwell was quick to highlight the work done by the rest in the absence of last season's leading scorer:

"Darius Henderson has done terrifically well. The way he has handled everything that has been thrown at him by the opposition has been a revelation and we certainly don't get knocked about up there.

"I have been delighted with Billy Sharp whose hold-up play and movement have improved no end, so with Webbs back fit again, Jon Stead and Beattie knocking on the door we have real options."

The boost of Beattie's return will whet the appetite for United's return to action at Derby in a fortnight following the International break, but his selection is not a foregone conclusion"

"The lads love Beatts but he knows he has to wait his turn because things have changed since last season and people are fighting for shirts and keeping them if they do well.

"But it's not Blackwell United, or Beattie United or Speed United, it's Sheffield United and that will always come first."

With the countdown to midnight's closure of the transfer window fast approaching the United boss is more than happy with the squad he has at his disposal and is not desperate to do business:

"I don't really want anything to happen because I want to keep this squad together. They area great set of lads who want each other to do well and I don't feel at the moment that we need major changes