Door closed on loan duo as Owls defender heads to Rovers

The Blades had also been linked with Swindon Town winger Jon-Paul McGovern but he is now set to sign for Carlisle United.

Wilson has dismissed speculation linking Leeds United striker Billy Paynter with a move to Bramall Lane and ruled out the possibility of Joe Mattock or Shane Lowry returning next season.

Both Mattock and Lowry, who were on loan from West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, respectively, indicated a desire to stay regardless of whether the club survived in the Championship.

But Wilson, who replaced Micky Adams as manager in the wake of the club’s relegation to League One, last night closed the door on that possibility because it may hinder the development of the club’s young players.

Wilson, however, does intend to sit down with out-of-contract defender Rob Kozluk and discuss the possibility of extending his second spell with the Blades.

Kozluk, 33, returned to the Blades last summer – three years after ending his initial eight-year association with the club .

Although unable to command a regular first-team place, he was still regarded as a good squad player and a role model in the dressing room. Due mainly to financial restraints, his existing deal was not renewed.

“We need both teachers and scholars in the group,” said Wilson. “In any football club, a manager can do a certain degree but a lot of influence on players comes from their own peers. If they are getting the right information and advice it is a great thing all the way around.”

On Kozluk, he said: “He has not been offered a contract yet but whether he will come back we will have to wait and see. He is someone I would be interested in talking to but I don’t know if he has got another club.

“Whether you could say he will be in the team week-in, week-out is arguable but he’s a good character to have around, great in the dressing room, and a good pro for tbe young lads to look up to.”

Although Mattock and Lowry are only 21, both are on wages that the Blades would struggle to cope with now they have dropped into League One.

Blades chairman Kevin McCabe had also made it clear that he wants less reliance on loan players this season and more emphasis on youth. That is a policy which Wilson is more than happy to support.

“Our young lads have to see the light at the end of the tunnel because that gives them an incentive to try and push on,” said Wilson.

“We can talk as much as we want about bringing the youth team through but you have to believe in them. Overall, the emphasis will be on getting a settled team of players who are committed to each other and who can move forward together over a period of time. We don’t want to be chopping and changing.”

Lescinel, a full international for Haiti, is available on a free transfer from Swindon.

Doncaster Rovers have agreed a £200,000 fee with Sheffield Wednesday for defender Tommy Spurr.

The Leeds-born player, 23, will now discuss personal terms after falling down the pecking order at Hillsborough under Gary Megson.

Bradford City are set to sign utility player Chris Mitchell, 22, from Scottish club Falkirk.