The Sheffield United manager, who spent 10 troubled months at Kenilworth Road before parting company with the financially stricken side, recently confirmed his summer recruitment drive will focus upon players already aclimatised to the demands of the Football League.

Dean Brill, the 22-year-old goalkeeper whose career in Bedfordshire blossomed under Blackwell, will almost certainly be considered having been linked with a move to South Yorkshire earlier this term.

Indeed Blackwell is understood to have personally recommended United, then managed by Bryan Robson, to Brill when he seemed destined to leave in January.

Blackwell's predecessor Mick Harford confirmed earlier this week that eight players - including former United striker Paul Peschisolido and Darren Currie; nephew of Bramall Lane legend Tony - are free to leave following Luton's relegation to League Two while offers are being invited for the rest.

"The whole of the squad is up for sale because that is how we are going to regenerate ourselves," Harford said.

Krisztian Timar, the Plymouth Argyle defender believed to be interesting Blackwell, has been released from hospital after sustaining a head injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.

The Hungary international, whose compatriot Peter Halmosi also reportedly features on United's wish-list, was caught by Wolves' midfielder Seyi Olofinjana toward the end of Plymouth's 1-0 defeat and had to be carried off on a stretcher.