Blades in striker hunt as Blackman departs

Blackman, 23, the Blades’ top-scorer with 14 goals this term, has signed a three-year-deal with the Royals, who have beaten off rival interest from Crystal Palace to sign the Bury-born player, who only joined the club in the summer from Blackburn Rovers.

Blades chief Danny Wilson admits he was powerless to stop Blackman, who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the Madejski Stadium, from moving to the top flight, with the hefty fee – thought to be in the region of £1.2m – representing a massive profit on a a player who only arrived in August.

Wilson, who has received assurances from owner and major benefactor Kevin McCabe that he will be given funds to bring in a new forward before tonight’s deadline, said: “From our position, it is virtually impossible to hold people back when the Premiership comes calling and this is a great opportunity for Nick.

“He wants to play at the best possible level, we knew that when we signed him, and he goes with our best wishes.

“He is a student of the game and will keep learning his trade at Reading.”

Ironically, Blackman’s last game for United was in Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Reading, with McCabe insisting ahead of that tie that the Blades would do “everything within their power” to boost Wilson’s transfer hand regardless of the prospect of players potentially leaving this week.

Wilson, who has been linked with Charlton forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, is expected to wrap up the signing of former Middlesbrough midfielder Barry Robson today.