Unlucky Blades 13 set to be heading down the Lane

SHEFFIELD United manager Micky Adams is ready to shake things up at Bramall Lane this summer in the wake of the club’s relegation to League One.

Adams, who will survive the axe, knows that some of his better players have to be sold to balance the books but also wants to breathe new life into his squad.

He is desperate not to lose any of the promising youngsters who have burst onto the scene this season but as many as 13 senior professionals could be heading for the exit door.

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The Blades visit Swansea City on Saturday for the final game of the Championship season knowing that they are already condemned to the drop.

The game could be the last in a Blades shirt for several players, including striker Darius Henderson, midfielder Nick Montgomery and winger Bjorn Helge Riise.

Adams is under intense pressure to reduce the £12m wage bill and anyone on salaries agreed when the club was still awash with Premier League money appear the most vulnerable.

Only two senior players are out of contract, defenders Rob Kozluk and Ryan France, while five players are approaching the end of loan deals.

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Striker Henderson, a £2m signing from Watford three years ago, still has 12 months remaining on contract but is not popular with a section of the club’s supporters. Although he has expressed a desire to stay, his wages are also an issue.

Ched Evans will be allowed to leave but the Blades are unlikely to recoup anything like the £3m it cost to secure his services from Manchester City.

To further complicate matters, the Welsh international striker was stretchered off with damaged ankle ligaments against Barnsley last weekend and the majority of clubs will want proof of his return to fitness before taking the plunge.

Midfielder Nick Montgomery is the club’s longest serving player but has been non-committal when questioned about his future.

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His commitment to the cause has never previously been in question but, at 29, he is understandably keen to stay in the Championship and there have been rumours of interest from his home-town club Leeds United.

Striker Jamie Ward has been on loan at Derby County since February and is expected to stay at Pride Park on a permanent basis.

Maltese international Daniel Bogdanovic joined the Blades from Barnsley last summer but has been unhappy with his lack of first team opportunities and is attracting interest from overseas.

Former Middlesbrough winger Mark Yeates, meanwhile, was axed from the squad two games ago and is another who will be allowed to find a new club.

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Blades director Scott McCabe has stated that the club needs to rely less heavily on loan players and concentrate on the development of youngsters.

A total of 11 loanees played for the Blades in this season’s ill-fated campaign and only one of the remaining five – Chelsea striker Danny Philliskirk –- will definitely be staying.

Adams started his clear-out a few weeks ago when striker Marcus Bent and defender Nyron Nosworthy were sent back to Birmingham City and Sunderland, respectively. The Blades also parted company with former England goalkeeper Richard Wright, French full-back Jean Calve and former Burnley defender Stephen Jordan, who had been short-term captures.

Three players are still on loan from Premier League clubs – Fulham winger Bjorn Helge Riise, West Bromwich Albion defender Joe Mattock and Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry.

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It is unlikely that Riise, a Norwegian international who is still under contract at Craven Cottage, will want to play League One football but both Mattock and Lowry have indicated a desire to stay. Whether the Blades view their signings as ‘value for money’ deals, however, could be the deciding factor.

Argentine defender Elian Parrino has made nine appearances on loan from Estudiantes but has hardly figured under Adams and missed the final stages of the season with a foot injury. He is expected to return home.

Teenager goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, meanwhile, joined the Blades on a free transfer from Australian club Bankstown City in February and sat on the bench for the away game at Watford. His deal expires this summer but it remains to be seen whether he has impressed sufficiently to extend his stay.

The fact that only two senior players, France and Kozluk, are out of contract this summer came as a major shock to Adams during early talks with the board about summer spending.

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A decision on France will be relatively easy as the former Hull City player, 30, has not kicked a ball for the first team in 18 months due to serious injury problems.

Kozluk, however, is a different case. A popular player at the club, vastly experienced, and useful on either side of the defence, he is looking to extend his second spell with the club but would have to be willing to accept reduced terms, even if Adams is interested in retaining his services.