Paul Heckingbottom opens door for Sheffield United pair to stake a claim amid striker search

Daniel Jebbison and Will Osula will be given the chance to claim a place in Paul Heckingbottom's thinking for next season. The Blades boss currently has an opening in the forward department following the departures of David McGoldrick and Oli Burke.

As it stands, he has only three senior strikers to choose from in Billy Sharp, Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster. All three are recovering from season-ending injuries of the last campaign and are hoping to be fit for the opening match at Watford on August 1.

United have been linked with Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle and they are keen to bring in former Derby man Tom Lawrence. However, Heckingbottom will also consider two players already at the club.

Jebbison has enjoyed a summer to remember so far after being part of the England under 19 team that won the European Championships and will be keen to ensure that is not the only highlight of 2022.

A fruitful loan at Burton for the first part of last season saw him find the net nine times but he was recalled to Sheffield United amid a mounting injury crisis last season.

Danish under 19 striker Osula had been impressing in the academy and was given his big chance in the goalless draw at Blackpool in March when he came off the bench in the closing stages.

He made a total of five Championship appearances and now stands a chance of adding to those again if he can continue to impress. Both players will still be only 18 when the season kicks off and Heckingbottom could send either or both out on loan.

However, he says they will be given the chance to impress in the meantime.

"It's up to them and how they perform," he said. "If they are both in the building it's because they are both in with a chance of playing. That's it. It's about