Ellis believes future is bright for Sheffield United loanee Bartley

TEENAGER Kyle Bartley has been tipped for a big future after joining Sheffield United on loan from Arsenal.

Bartley, who made his debut for the Blades at Preston North End in midweek, is the latest in a long list of highly-rated young players dispatched to the Championship on a short-term basis by Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal manager subscribes to the view that a taste of life in the Football League can make a significant difference to a player's development and, in the process, benefit his temporary employers.

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Nicklas Bendtner, Fabrice Muamba, Alexandre Song and Sebastian Larsson have all grown into Premier League stars after leaving the Emirates Stadium for spells in the Championship while other youngsters who are currently on loan from the Gunners include Jay Simpson (at QPR), Henri Lansbury (Watford) and Kerrea Gilbert (Peterborough United).

Bartley, 18, will make his home debut for the Blades in tomorrow's Championship game with Bristol City and assistant-manager Sam Ellis has already discovered that the centre-back has no shortage of confidence.

"One of our lads, Glen Little, asked him if he had played in the league before?" said Ellis, reflecting on events before the Preston game.

"He said 'no' so Glen asked if he had played in any game before?

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"This time he said 'yes' and was asked 'what, a League Cup game?' His reply was 'No, a Champions League game'. That certainly shut Glen up," laughed Ellis.

Bartley made his debut for the Gunners two months ago against Greek club Olympiakos but has yet to figure in the Premier League.

He originally hails from Manchester and started his career as a schoolboy at Bolton Wanderers before being lured to the capital three years ago.

"I think Arsenal regard him as a player with a big future but they feel he is at a stage now where he needs experience," said Ellis.

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"If you look at the other players they have loaned out in the Championship, I remember Birmingham City winning promotion with Bendtner, Muambe, and Larsson. They loan them out when they are kids and they end up becoming better players as a result. We think Kyle will fit that category.

"I thought Kyle did excellently against Preston for an 18-year-old making his first appearance with players who he had not even trained with before. It was not ideal for him or us but he came out of it well.

"He is a confident young lad who looks as though he will improve in leaps and bounds when he gets up to the speed needed in thought and in actions in this league. It is easy playing in a reserve side but it is not so easy playing Championship football. It will certainly make him a better player."

Bartley is likely to get a minimum of four games in the Blades' side before the return from injury of on loan Dutch centreback Marcel Seip. Captain Chris Morgan, normally the first choice centre-back, will be sidelined for at least another month with damaged ribs.

The Blades, meanwhile, are still awaiting news on the ankle injury that has sidelined midfielder James Harper for the last two games.