Paul Heckingbottom 'confident' that Billy Sharp will sign a new Sheffield United contract

Paul Heckingbottom is 'confident' that Billy Sharp will sign a new Sheffield United contract and remain at the club until at least the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The 36-year-old, whose current deal runs out in the summer, has an option to extend his stay at Bramall Lane and Heckingbottom has revealed that he has already spoken to him about his long-term future.

It has been a terrific season so far for the veteran forward, who is the fifth-highest scorer in the Championship with 14 goals in 36 appearances. Sharp has also chipped in with seven assists - the joint-most at the club alongside Morgan Gibbs-White.

Sharp is one of six United players whose contract expires in 2022, with Ben Osborn, Jack Robinson, Chris Basham, Adam Davies and David McGoldrick all coming to the end of their deals.

Having netted over 100 goals during his third spell at the Blades, it is safe to say that Sharp will go down as a club legend once he decides to depart, but Heckingbottom isn't ready to lose him just yet.

Speaking in his press conference, he said: "I spoke with Billy (Sharp) a long time ago about how he's one of a few players with options on their contract and that's what we've been speaking about.

"I'm confident that he will be here next year, but I'm not making any statements there because nothing is set in stone. But I've said before that we need to make sure we have real clarity on what the budget is going to be, what can we spend and what can't we spend and we make the decisions from there.

"In terms of the players we've got, Bill is one of a number that has been playing well and who can help us get where we want to be which is at the top end of this league."

Back in January, Sharp broke the record for the most Championship goals