Sheffield United: Duo face anxious wait over their Lane futures

Dean Hammond and David Edgar must wait to discover if they will be offered permanent contracts by Sheffield United next season after Nigel Adkins, the League One club's manager, revealed no decision will be taken on their futures until the end of the season.
Nigel Adkins with midfielder Dean HammondNigel Adkins with midfielder Dean Hammond
Nigel Adkins with midfielder Dean Hammond

The duo, on-loan from Leicester City and Birmingham City respectively, are among a group of senior players set to become free agents this summer when their agreements at Bramall Lane expire.

Adkins, who has identified a settled starting eleven as the catalyst for United’s recent upturn in form, has relied heavily on both Hammond and Edgar since being unveiled as Nigel Clough’s successor in June. But, after watching Barnsley deal a blow to his team’s hopes of a top six finish last weekend, confirmed he is unlikely to make any announcements about its recruitment plans before May 8th’s fixture against Scunthorpe.

David Edgar is waiting to learn where he will be playing his football next season 
©2016 Sport Image all rights reservedDavid Edgar is waiting to learn where he will be playing his football next season 
©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
David Edgar is waiting to learn where he will be playing his football next season ©2016 Sport Image all rights reserved
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“Yes, we’ll be leaving all of that until then,” Adkins said. “We have a season to finish first and we want to finish it strongly.”

Edgar, who joined United in August, recently admitted to being unaware if his contract at St Andrews will be extended while Hammond is almost certain to leave the KP Stadium following Leicester’s climb to the summit of the Premier League table.

Dismissing suggestions that by failing to resolve contractual issues, United risk seeing potential targets lured elsewhere, Adkins said: “There’s no apathy, everyone is working hard and fighting for the cause. We’ve got excellent coaching staff and there’s a spirit and a camaraderie here. It’s about putting things in place for this season, next season and the one after that.”