Bolton Wanderers v Sheffield United: Non-league experience invaluable for Blade Heneghan

Ben Heneghan of Sheffield United during a Professional Development U23 match at Bramall Lane (Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage)

The defender – who joined from Motherwell last month – has yet to make his Blades debut.

But the 23-year-old knows the virtue of patience, having spent his youth career at Everton and Stoke City before dropping down the leagues to play for Chester City.

He spent last season playing in Scotland -– sampling high-profile games against the likes of Celtic and Rangers.

But Heneghan jumped at the chance to try his luck in the Championship with Chris Wilder’s newly-promoted Blades.

“I’ve worked hard for the last few years and have now been rewarded with the chance to come here,” said the Mancunian defender.

“Sometimes you have to take two steps back to move forward again. I’ve done that, got my head down and worked hard.

“I’m looking to prove a point here now and get in the team.

“Playing for Under-23s side, it was about waiting for someone to give you that opportunity.

“You’ve got to go down the leagues, which I did at Chester, and when you get an opportunity grab it with both hands. It’s proved worthwhile. It was real football and people’s livelihoods.

“Everything matters whereas when you’re an academy player, you’re just trying to get better.

“If you make a mistake, it’s alright, but it’s costly in the lower leagues and people are fighting for their jobs.

“When I was in the academy at Everton, we always got told ‘it’s going to be nothing like this if you move on from here’.

“That sticks in your head, especially when you’re in the lower leagues, but I’m glad to be here now and am looking forward to the challenge.”

Heneghan faces a battle to force his way into the Blades team – Wilder’s side currently sit fifth in the table after an impressive start to life in the Championship. “It’s good to have the experience of playing against Celtic and Rangers in Scotland because they are massive clubs with huge followings,” he said.

United have an injury doubt over Clayton Donaldson (hamstring) for tonight’s trip to Bolton, but Leon Clarke is available after serving a three-match ban.

Last six games: Bolton DDLWLL; Sheffield United LLWLWW.

Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire).

Last time: Bolton Wanderers 3 Sheffield United 2; FA Cup; December 4 2016.