Sheffield United youngster set to get an early chance to impress new boss Slavisa Jokanovic
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The youngster, who spent last season on loan at Luton Town and Stoke City, was among 26 players selected by former United defender Robert Page following a training camp in Portugal.
Despite being yet to make his competitive debut for United, Norrington-Davies is expected to challenge for a place in Jokanovic’s starting eleven following the Serb’s appointment last week.
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Hide AdPage, who took charge when Ryan Giggs temporarily relinquished his duties at the FAW to address a legal issue, is a huge admirer of the 22-year-old and is likely to call upon the centre-half’s services when the tournament begins later this month.
“I’ve had to make some decisions and there’s some disappointed people around and leaving the camp, which is never easy,” Page said. “I’ve said to the lucky ones that we’ve got such a good group, that they’re really tight together, that it’s been a really hard day.”
“If I could have taken 31 I would have,” Page, who made 128 appearances for United between 2001 and 2004, continued. “But we have to make these decisions and move forward.”
Previously of Watford and Fulham, Jokanovic will officially take up his role at Bramall Lane when his contract with Qatari club Al-Gharafa expires on June 30. However, despite pledging to respect his terms of employment in the Middle East, the former Yugoslavia and Chelsea midfielder admitted to assessing the options set to be at his disposal during an interview with United’s official website on Thursday.
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Hide AdJack O’Connell, who was yesterday pictured completing a boxing work out with a personal trainer, could miss the start of pre-season as he continues to recover from knee surgery. The speed of O’Connell’s progress could is likely to have a direct impact on Norrington-Davies’ own situation in South Yorkshire, with Jokanovic’s predecessor Chris Wilder viewing him as the player most likely to push the Liverpudlian next term.
United handed Norrington-Davies a new long term contract after watching him make his debut for Wales earlier this term.