But the resounding piece of good news from Rob Hulse's £1.7m sale to long-time pursuers Derby is that it as good as guarantees James Beattie stays with Sheffield United.

The Blades always looked likely to part with one of their main frontmen. They are two of a kind and it never seemed feasible that there would be a place for both of them. Manager Kevin Blackwell has shown an apparent preference for a nippy second striker, hence Billy Sharp's emergence as the favoured sidekick for Beattie.

All of that, in combination with a squad pruning operation, is the logic behind Hulse's switch. I think it's fair to conclude that United sounded out the market on Beattie as well, though in this instance he would only go to a Premiership club. And his need for knee surgery, albeit minor, virtually confirmed his continuing presence at Bramall Lane. But the £2m signing of Watford's Darius Henderson as Hulse's replacement leaves us with a bit of a riddle.

You don't pay that sort of money for a substitute - so perhaps Blackwell plans to go with two big men after all. On the other hand, Henderson, 26, will have taken a longer-term view of his prospects than Hulse . . . in exchange for a substantial four-year contract.

With the Hulse void now filled, United will trim their overstocked strike departure with Luton Shelton seemingly heading back to Norway in a £700,000 deal.