McDonald to follow Lowton and give Blades further boost

McDonald has been training with the Blades for the past few weeks and will sign a permanent deal in time to play in tomorrow’s home game against Brentford.

He was released by Burnley at the end of last season but had not started a game for the Clarets since April 2010 when he headed to a nearby pub after being substituted midway through a game against Manchester City.

McDonald, 22, was also shipped out on loan to both Notts County and Scunthorpe United last season.

Wilson said: “He wants to help us back to where we want to be and we feel he will be of benefit to this football club. He has shown his commitment to us and a willingness to compromise over the last few weeks. He could have looked elsewhere when his future was uncertain but he decided to stick with us and we are delighted about that.”

Lowton’s decision to sign a new three-year deal is another boost for the Blades who have secured the services of all their young first-team players beyond the end of the current season.

Originally from Chesterfield, Lowton, 22, joined the Blades’ youth set-up seven years ago after being released by Leeds United. He also spent periods on loan with Sheffield FC and Ferencvaros before establishing a regular first-team place last season.

“I have been here since I was 15 and I always saw my development as being with Sheffield United,” he said yesterday. “It’s nice to be recognised with a contract like this – especially after last season which was difficult for me until I was getting regular first-team football in the final few months of the campaign.

“I spent 10 months at Ferencvaros which was a good learning curve,” he added. “It played a massive part in development as a player. My confidence is high now and that has been boosted by starting games regularly. For the next three years, I can get my head down, concentrate on my football, and hopefully get this club back into the Premier League.

“The last time this club was in the Premier League I was a ballboy and I always thought to myself that there would be nothing better than playing for Sheffield United against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. That’s what I want to do eventually – but the first step is winning promotion.”

Barnsley general manager Don Rowing insists that the club is not looking to sell striker Danny Haynes despite rumours of interest from Burnley.