Walton out for Blades' season as knee injury confirmed

The former Leeds United midfielder, signed on a season-long loan from Plymouth, suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in a friendly at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Walton only joined the Blades a fortnight ago hoping to kickstart his career, but his season is now in tatters.

Blades manager Kevin Blackwell said: "It is a tragedy for the lad because he was really going to give this chance his best shot, but he won't play for us now because his loan will be up by the time he recovers.

"We are now talking to Plymouth about where Simon will do his rehab, and it means that we are a player down already so the search has to intensify."

The Blades could be heading for a compensation battle with Swansea City over the services of coach Gary Speed.

United have blocked two moves by the Swans to speak with the former Welsh international who is on a shortlist of three to fill the vacant manager's job at the Liberty Stadium.

However, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins last night made it clear that he is prepared to bide his time in order to get the right man.

"I can confirm that we have made just three official approaches to different clubs about speaking to potential managerial candidates," said Jenkins, who has also been strongly linked with Hamilton Academical manager Billy Reid and Wigan Athletic assistant-manager Graeme Jones.

"We've had disappointments but I'm not surprised at the negative responses from the clubs we have approached while perhaps, sometimes, when people are given the opportunity to become a No 1 they feel the timing isn't always right for them."

Speed, 40, has made no secret of his desire to move into management but still has 12 months remaining on his coaching contract and is currently on the Blades' pre-season trip to Malta.

He also spoke with Swansea last summer prior to the appointment of Paolo Sousa who last week joined Championship rivals Leicester City.

The Blades regard Speed as a valuable member of Blackwell's backroom staff but are unlikely to stand in his way if he wants to move and a compensation deal could be agreed.

Sheffield-based boxing promoter Dennis Hobson has linked up with American company Club 9 Sports in a fresh takeover bid for Sheffield Wednesday.

The new proposal is worth 3m – an increase of 50 per cent on the initial offer rejected last month – but still well short of the League One club's requirements.

Hobson, who has been seeking to get on the Owls' board for several years, said: "I am on-board with, and participating in, this offer as a life-long supporter of Wednesday because I believe it is in the best long-term interest of the club and I know change must come now."

The Owls have refused to comment on the latest offer which has already been rejected.

Former director Mick Wright is also lined up to return to the board as chairman at the start of the new season. Wright quit the board four years ago after a disagreement with former chairman Dave Allen but still has a 500,000 loan in the club.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has ruled out the possibility of striker Andy Keogh moving on loan to Doncaster Rovers.

Keogh had been the subject of interest from Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll, looking to team him up with former Scunthorpe strike-partner Billy Sharp.