Blades let striker Higdon join Oldham in loan deal

The 32-year-old has signed a three-month loan deal at Boundary Park, having been pushed down the pecking order by the summer arrival of Billy Sharp and Conor Sammon at Bramall Lane.

Higdon joined United in 2014 for an undisclosed fee from Dutch side NEC Nijmegan and scored five goals in 20 appearances last season, despite suffering from a niggling hamstring injury.

Higdon – who has made just four appearances this season, the last of which came against Colchester United earlier this month – could make his debut on Saturday at Boundary Park, with the visit of Wigan Athletic.

The Blades have agreed a two-year deal to stage Under-21 and junior games at non-league Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Chris Morgan’s Under-21s will play six of their remaining home fixtures – which were previously scheduled to be held at United’s Shirecliffe training ground – at the Look Local Stadium at Bracken Moor, to give the youngsters experience of playing in a stadium.

Nick Cox, SteelPhalt Sheffield United Academy manager, said: “We are very excited about the relationship and thank Stocksbridge for their ongoing support.

“The playing surface is one of the best pitches in the area. Before permission was granted for games to be hosted at the venue it had to undergo a UEFA pitch inspection which it passed with flying colours.”

Rotherham United defender Richard Wood has joined League One side Fleetwood Town on a month’s emergency loan.

The former Sheffield Wednesday centre-half has struggled for games since his return to South Yorkshire from Charlton Athletic last year.

He spent time on loan at Crawley Town last season, making 10 appearances before being recalled, and Mills boss Steve Evans believes the defender needs first-team football.

“I am delighted that Richard has taken the opportunity to get some first team football,” said Evans.

“He is a top class professional and needs to be playing and he gets a great opportunity to do that with Fleetwood Town.”