West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield United: Switch to Blades can help Yeates prove point

Championship: SHEFFIELD United's Mark Yeates has revealed his disappointment at being shown the door by Gordon Strachan.

The Middlesbrough manager ruled that Yeates was not required just weeks after his appointment.

Strachan wanted to bring in players from his former club, Celtic, and so allowed midfielder Yeates to join the Blades for 500,000.

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Ahead of today's game, Yeates said: "If you speak to people up in Middlesbrough, a lot are still confused about what went on. There was never a problem between us but he never gave me an explanation or an indication that I was going to be sold."

As a teenager, Yeates played three times for Tottenham but it was his performances during a two-year spell at Colchester that caught the eye.

Boro beat off competition from the Blades to land Yeates last summer and he was enjoying life at the Riverside Stadium until Gareth Southgate was sacked.

"Under Southgate, I always felt I was a big part of the team so it was all a bit strange," he said. "Even the games I played under Strachan were some of my best in a Boro shirt and he seemed pleased with the way I was playing. But sometimes you just get the feeling that you are not going to play as much as you would like or feel a part of something and in the last few weeks, I wasn't really involved. All managers are entitled to do things their own way and I don't hold any hard feelings."

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Yeates, 25, has yet to make his first start for the Blades but came off the bench as a late substitute in the midweek victory over Reading at Bramall Lane.

"I am delighted to be a Sheffield United player now and I am fully committed to getting the club in the Premier League. As a player, it is good to feel wanted and it gives you a boost."

ESTONIAN international goalkeeper Mihkel Aksalu, 6ft 4in, has joined the Blades on a two-and-a-half-year deal for a nominal fee from FC Flora Tallinn.

Aksalu, 25, has impressed on trial and will provide cover for Mark Bunn this season and Paddy Kenny next season.

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Manager Kevin Blackwell said: "He is one of the best goalkeeping trialists we have seen for a long time. It is a terrific opportunity for him."

Blades winger Kyel Reid will spend the rest of the season on loan at Charlton Athletic.