Sheffield United Billy Sharp does not want new contract to be his last hurrah

Last week Billy Sharp signed a new contract which will keep him at Sheffield United until he is 36, but the club captain has already set his sights on another.
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The centre-forward made only one Premier League start, at home to Newcastle United, in the first half of the season, but had kicked off six of the last seven matches in all competitions before the coronavirus lockdown and scored the winner in the other, an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Reading.

Firmly in contention to start Wednesday's game in the resumed Premier League, Sharp is not looking at his two-year extension as a last hurrah at his boyhood club.

CONTRACT: Billy Sharp has extended his deal until 2022CONTRACT: Billy Sharp has extended his deal until 2022
CONTRACT: Billy Sharp has extended his deal until 2022
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“I haven't signed a contract to wind down and finish my career, I'm determined to get another one,” he insisted. “It's an honour to captain this club and I want to carry that on.

“I'm part of a great team that pushes each other and I want to be a part of that. I'm loving each day and I want it to continue for more years to come.

“I've worked hard for the last few years off the pitch to get in better shape and come back fitter and stronger. I'm enjoying it and want to keep going for as long as possible.

“I'm going to work harder for the next two years and chase my next contract.”

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the brand of football Chris Wilder plays is extremely physically demanding, but holds no fears for the team's talismanic leader.

“The way we play, our formation, the speed we play at and the intensity to get the ball back, each player has to be really on the ball and 100 per cent in every training session and in matches because if not the manager lets you know about it,” said Sharp.

“My all-round game has come on to link the game up a bit more, the defensive side of things and getting on end of chances we create. It's more demanding the higher you get and you have to be in top condition to get around the pitch and play at the best of my ability.

“Right now I'm just looking to finish off as well as possible and who knows where we can go?”

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Sharp scored the Blades' first goal back in the Premier League, and his others this season came in three of the last four matches before games were suspended because of covid-19.

His team is competing on two fronts to qualify for Europe for the first time in the club's history. Victory at Villa Park on Wednesday will put them fifth in the Premier League with nine matches remaining for all clubs, and they host Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter-final on June 28.

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