Paul Heckingbottom pushes Sheffield United youngster with special incentive to make big statement

Paul Heckingbottom has thrown down the gauntlet to Rhys Norrington-Davies ahead of Sheffield United's pre-season trip to Portugal. The Blades fly out for a week-long training camp next week as their preparations for the coming campaign get under way.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a summer to remember. He featured for Wales in the vital World Cup qualifying victory over Ukraine that secured their place at the competition in Qatar later this year.

He then followed that up with his first goal for his country, heading home what he thought was an equaliser in the dramatic 2-1 Nations League defeat at home to Holland.

Due to his involvement on the international scene, he has been allowed to delay his return to the Randox Health Academy, but will be on the plane to Lisbon next week.

Having forced his way into the Sheffield United squad for last season, featuring 26 times in league and cup, Heckingbottom now wants him to realise the opportunity he has to play at a World Cup by becoming first choice at Bramall Lane.

The Blades boss enjoyed watching his progress with Robert Page's Wales earlier in the month and believes it was just reward for how far he has come in the past 12 months.

There was one moment in particular that stood out, and it wasn't his last-minute header. The trust that Page showed in him against Ukraine was confirmation for Heckingbottom that the youngster should be busting a gut to push on and take his career to the next level.

"The most pleasing thing for me was that Rhys got put on in that main game [Ukraine]," Heckingbottom said. "Yeah, he scored his first goal for his national team and played loads of minutes out there, but the most pleasing thing for me was when they were 1-0 in front against the Ukraine