Filip Uremovic's Sheffield United impact clear as Paul Heckingbottom faces unthinkable decision

Filip Uremovic is wasting no time in leaving his mark on this Sheffield United team. The Croatian international is only here until the end of the season having had his contract with Russian side Rubin Kazan suspended as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

But his impact is already clear. An impressive debut against QPR saw only John Egan and Oli McBurnie win more aerial duels than the 25-year-old in a United shirt and only Ben Davies and McBurnie won more in the air on Saturday.

With the right side of United's three-man defence becoming an issue due to injuries to Chris Basham and Charlie Goode, Uremovic's arrival has certainly been a major boost for manager Paul Heckingbottom, whose squad depth was being tested due to the amount of injuries.

There were two occasions against Bournemouth where his top level experience, which has seen him play for Croatia against France where he came up against Kylian Mbappe, certainly served him well. With pacey wideman Siriki Dembele looking to get in behind him during the first half, Uremovic was alive to the through ball and was able to adjust his positioning quick enough to get in a crucial interception and poke the ball away from the winger and into the grateful hands of Wes Foderingham.

Then, in the second half, he produced an excellent recovery tackle to thwart Philip Billing, who looked to profit from a loose ball and have a clear run on goal. So far, so good from the defender.

And given the level he has played at, it's understandable that he has been able to fit straight in. However, Heckingbottom says there's plenty more to come once he gets used to the Championship division. With the Russian league being much slower, the Blades boss has already spotted areas he wants to