Defender Alex Baptiste joins Sheffield United on loan from Middlesbrough

Alex Baptiste, in action for Bolton Wanderers last season before his switch to Middlesbrough in the summer.

The 30-year-old is yet to feature for Boro after being afforded a nightmare start to his time on Teesside last summer - suffering a double leg fracture in the first half of his debut against York City in a pre-season friendly in July.

Baptiste, who joined Boro on a two-year deal from Bolton Wanderers in the close season, has battled back to fitness during several gruelling months of rehabilitation at the club, but remains behind a number of players in the pecking order at the Riverside.

That has prompted Boro to allow Baptiste, the club’s first signing ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, to join the Blades, who have been searching for experienced defensive reinforcements after failing to bring in Fulham’s Dan Burn among others.

Baptiste was withdrawn from Boro’s Under-21 clash with Manchester United yesterday afternoon in readiness for his move to Bramall Lane.

His last competitive game arrived almost 11 months ago on April 8, 2016 when he appeared for Blackburn Rovers, who he played for on loan last term, against Liverpool in the FA Cup.