May 2002

Defender Shane Nicholson is set to undergo surgery on a hernia problem, ruling him out of a return to pre-season training with his team-mates. Nicholson started last season as first-choice left-back at Bramall Lane, but slipped behind Rob Ullathorne when the former Leicester City star was re-signed by The Blades in November. Nicholson was not thought to be struggling with the problem towards the end of last season, but it has been decided that surgery is required on the injury, ruling him out of a return to pre-season training in July. It is hoped that the 31-year-old will be available for the beginning of the new season, but he is likely to be behind in his fitness.

United have sold Patrick Suffo to Spanish team Numancia for an undisclosed six-figure fee. Suffo, who was put on the transfer list after his part in the now infamous 'Battle of Bramall Lane', joined the Second Division team on loan last term after Neil Warnock said he had no future at the club.

Neil Warnock says he has had "promising" talks with an unnamed defender as he continues to search for a replacement for Keith Curle. He keen to fill the void created by the player-coach's departure and he has someone in mind who can play anywhere across the backline. Its almost certain that Warnock's target will be available on a free transfer.

Paul Peschisolido could be a doubt for the start of the season as medics are still struggling to get to the root of his troublesome foot injury. The problem forced Peschisolido to miss the end of the campaign and Neil Warnock is concerned that he will not be ready for the big kick-off. Peschisolido's mobility is affected by a problem under one of his toes and Warnock says they think it is a ligament injury rather than a fracture. Warnock has searched for a new forward although Peschisolido and Asaba could still emerge as the first-choice strike partnership.

Neil Warnock says he is close to making his first close season signing, but the identity of the transfer target is yet to be revealed. The Blades boss has several potential targets in mind including Dutch striker Laurens Ten Heuvel. Warnock and his assistant Kevin Blackwell have looked at a number of players over the last few months, and the vast majority of them are available on Bosman free transfers. Uncertainty over the size of the budget available continues to hinder Warnock's plans, but he remains confident of being able to strengthen the squad sufficiently. Warnock could conclude his first summer deal as early as next week.

United have announced first-team pre-season friendlies at Baslow and Huddersfield Town. United will face Baslow on the evening of Tuesday 16th July. A time is yet to be confirmed for this game.The Blades then travel to the McAlpine Stadium for the friendly with Huddersfield Town on Tuesday 30th July (7.30pm). The players then undertake their tour of the West Country, and play games at Bristol Rovers (July 20), Bodmin Town (July 22) and Saltash United (July 24).

Defender Rob Kozluk is scheduled to make his comeback in pre-season having already been out for seven months with a serious knee injury. The 24-year-old right-back suffered the knock midway through the second half of the game at Manchester City on October 16 following a challenge from Danny Tiatto. It was initially thought that the former Derby County defender faced at least a year on the sidelines but he has made good progress and looks on course to return ahead of schedule. Kozluk will work on building up his fitness over the summer with the aim of joining the rest of the squad for the start of pre-season training.

Keith Curle has left The Blades after turning down the offer of a new one-year contract with the club. Curle arrived at Bramall Lane in the summer of 2000 on a free transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers and has featured regularly in the United side. Curle is keen to further his managerial ambitions after learning the ropes under Neil Warnock and has been strongly linked with a player-coach role at Walsall under his old Molineux boss Colin Lee. He has made it clear that he intends to carry on playing until he is 40.

United have sold Paul Devlin to Birmingham City for a fee of £200,000. Devlin had been on loan at Birmingham for the last three months and, as expected, has completed the formalities of the transfer ahead the Blues' play-off Final with Norwich City.

Carl Asaba is aiming to make a significant improvement on the goalscoring front next season after a disappointing first full season with United. Asaba has struggled for form this season, scoring only seven goals in 33 league and cup appearances.Asaba says that he wants to show the United fans what he is capable of. Asaba missed the end of the season after suffering an Achilles injury and will work on regaining full fitness over the summer and hope for a big improvement next season.

United have been fined £10,000 by the FA over their infamous abandoned home clash with West Brom. Boss Neil Warnock, player-coach Keith Curle, midfielder Georges Santos and striker Patrick Suffo were punished individually for their parts in the 'Battle of Bramall Lane' on March 16.The FA did not find any evidence to indicate any United player or official had attempted to get it abandoned. No evidence found to indicate any player or official of Sheffield United had attempted to force March 16 game with West Brom to be abandoned.Sheffield United player-coach Keith Curle admitted improper conduct in incident involving a match official. Fined £500 and given two-match ban. Georges Santos is guilty of violent conduct. Given an additional two-match ban. Charge against Sheffield United midfielder Georges Santos of threatening behaviour following an incident in tunnel not proven. Patrick Suffo is fined £3,000 and banned for further three games after charge of violent conduct was proved.Blades manager Neil Warnock found guilty of improper conduct and fined £300.Sheffield United fined £10,000 for failing to ensure the proper conduct of their players as they remonstrated with the match officials on March 16.

Steve Lovell's hopes of a permanent move to United appear slim, despite Neil Warnock's top summer priority being a striker. It is understood that Lovell is not one of names on the Blades boss's wanted list because United would be forced to pay for his services and Warnock is forced to concentrate his efforts on signing players who are available on free transfers. The Blades boss is also ilooking for a defender and a midfielder, stressing the need to add "experience" to the squad.