Goalkeeper Simonsen axed by beaten Blades

Sheffield United have axed goalkeeper Steve Simonsen – just days after his penalty miss in the League One play-off final against Huddersfield Town.

The Blades are set to confirm his departure today along with those of Austrian defender Johnny Ertl and defender Andy Taylor.

Manager Danny Wilson still has two goalkeepers on the books – Mark Howard and teenager George Long – but has been told to reduce the wage bill following failure to win promotion.

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Simonsen had spoken on Monday about his hopes of staying at Bramall Lane.

“At this moment in time I don’t know where my future lies. I will go on record again to say I would love to stay at Sheffield United because I have enjoyed my time here so much,” he said.

“The way things ended on Saturday is obviously the lowest point of my career, until the penalty kick everything had gone brilliantly.

“It was horrendous when I missed the penalty, you never expect to be in that situation as a goalkeeper and it will probably never happen again,” said the 33-year-old.

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“I have had time to reflect and I am massively disappointed, as you can imagine, but hopefully we can move on.

“I have replayed the situation a million times in my head because I can’t bear to watch it again at the moment.

“I have thought about what I could have done with hindsight but at the moment there was nothing more I could have done.”

Derby County have rejected two offers from a rival Championship club – understood to be Sheffield Wednesday – for striker Chris Maguire.

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Scottish international Maguire, 23, scored just two goals in eight games for the Rams last season after moving from Aberdeen.

A Derby spokesman said: “We have received two bids from a Championship club in the past week for Chris Maguire and both have been rejected.”

Former Sheffield United, Leeds United and Bradford City striker Andy Gray has been released by Barnsley.

Gray, now 34, still had another 12 months on his contract but has slipped down the pecking order at Oakwell.

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General manager Don Rowing said: “We have come to a compromise agreement with Andy which gives him the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere. He is a model professional and we wish him good luck in the future.”

Burnley have refused to comment on reports claiming they have accepted a £7m offer from Southampton for striker Jay Rodriguez.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a blistering campaign last term, netting 21 goals.