The former England international, who was signed last summer by Bryan Robson, has yet to play for Blackwell and spent the final three months of the season on loan at Leicester City.

But the Blades manager has stressed that every player starts next season with a 'clean slate' and Hendrie, 30, still has another two years on his contract.

"Every player under contract will be expected to turn up in July and work his socks off, and that is true of Lee as well," said Blackwell. "Unfortunately, I was not able to take a look at him last season because we were winning games and trying to get in the play-offs.

"I only had him for about two or three days but he had an opportunity that we all felt was right which he took. Sometimes the profile of a player doesn't match a struggling team – it could be that, as we now have a winning one, Lee could flourish here next season.

"I'm aware of comments he made about wanting to play for Leicester but we will have a chat in the next few weeks," he added. "I am prepared to accept that water has now gone under the bridge and it is time to start again for everybody's benefit."

Hendrie played nine games for Leicester last season but missed the final two games of the club's ill-fated battle against relegation due to injury.

Blackwell, meanwhile, has re-iterated his desire to keep hold of his best players and insists that Michael Tonge, Chris Morgan and Rob Hulse are not for sale.

Chairman Kevin McCabe has yet to decide whether to press on with plans for a 'director of football' after missing out on former England manager Graham Taylor. Neither Terry Venables or Steve McClaren are interested in the post.

McCabe said: "Having a head of football is another requirement for a progressive club which has the affiliations that we have, but they are not easy to find. We might break up the duties involved to people within the club."