Drinkwater quits Tykes for Leicester to leave Hill frustrated

Drinkwater, on loan from Manchester United, quit Oakwell yesterday to sign a permanent deal with the Foxes.

He only recently agreed to extend his stay with the Tykes until the summer – but a clause in that deal entitled United to sell if a bid was made in the New Year transfer window.

“There’s nothing I can do,” said Hill. “He’s Manchester United’s player.

“We tried to persuade him to stay until the end of the season – but it’s unfortunate that we live in this football food chain and can’t compete financially with Leicester.”

Ironically, Drinkwater inspired Barnsley to a 2-1 victory over Leicester last weekend and the Tykes are currently a point better off in the Championship table.

“It will be a great financial package for him because we all know they are well-endowed cash wise,” said Hill, who also admitted that Barnsley were “a trillion miles away” from beating the offer.

The Tykes are unlikely to secure a replacement before tomorrow’s home game with Millwall so Nathan Doyle, who had been put up for transfer, will return to the squad.

Hill, meanwhile, says there is no truth in reports linking striker Ricardo Vaz Te with a move to Blackpool.

”It’s just speculation and that’s going to happen,” he said. “Ian Holloway (Blackpool’s manager) phoned me a couple of weeks ago about Jacob Butterfield but he hasn’t phoned me about Ricardo Vaz Te.

”It’s that time of the season but Ricardo will remain with us until at least the end of the season. He’s too important to us to sell.”

Former Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O’Driscoll has been appointed assistant manager at Nottingham Forest.

O’Driscoll will work under manager Steve Cotterill who he played with at Bournemouth in the early Nineties. He had been working in an advisory role for Plymouth Argyle since being sacked by Rovers four months ago.

Sheffield United have lost out to Blackpool in the chase for Rangers striker John Fleck.

Blades manager Danny Wilson revealed that he travelled north for talks this week with the Scottish Under-21 international but he has joined Blackpool on loan for the rest of the season.

Wilson is still interested in Rangers midfielder Kyle Hutton.