Sheffield United v Watford Rovers: New signing must wait – Bogdanovic looks set to start

championship

ARGENTINIAN defender Elian Parrino has joined Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season from Estudiantes.

Parrino impressed during a pre-season friendly against the Blades, and has been added to manager Gary Speed's squad ahead of today's game with Watford.

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"My aim is to force my way into the team, do well, and work hard to get a longer contract," said the 22-year-old, whose deal is part of the new commercial link-up between the two clubs.

Speed is not expected to call upon Parrino today despite the absence of injured centre-backs Kyle Bartley and Chris Morgan. Parrino is comfortable anywhere across the back four but will obviously need time to adjust

to the demands of English football.

Summer signing Daniel Bogdanovic, a player whose arrival boosted the Blades' commercial links with Malta, is likely to make his full home debut today against the Hornets.

The former Barnsley striker made his long -awaited first start for the club in the midweek draw at Nottingham Forest as a replacement for the suspended Jamie Ward.

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Speed said: "Daniel had been chomping at the bit for a place in the starting line-up and his attitude had been excellent. He has not brooded and has realised that it is all about 'the team' and 'the squad'.

"Obviously, he was disappointed not to be playing but he also knew that he needed to be ready to take his chance when it came along," added Speed.

"He was excellent against Forest and he is a striker who holds the ball up well, has pace, and scores goals. He's also an intelligent player and I've been delighted with the way he has gone about his work on the training ground."

The Blades have taken 10 points from a possible 21 under Speed, who expects a tough test this afternoon against a Watford side sitting fourth in the Championship table

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"Their success has been built on team work because they are not a team that contains any big individual starts," said Speed.

"I am not surprised by their fine start to the season because I know their manager, Malky Mackay, well and what he is all about in terms of setting up his teams."

Mackay, a former Scottish international, made his first appearance in English football at Bramall Lane after joining Norwich City from Celtic in 1998.

"Even at that point, I was impressed by the size of the stadium at Sheffield and the noise that came in it," he recalled.