Paul Heckingbottom rallies his Sheffield United troops for one last big push for promotion

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has heaped praise on his players ahead of his team’s final push to secure a place in the Premier League promotion fight.

The Blades currently sit fifth in the table, two points ahead of seventh placed Middlesbrough. Finishing in the automatic promotion place looks to be a step too far as they currently trail Bournemouth by eight points having played two games more than the Cherries. And runaway leaders Fulham looks likely to win the Championship as they sit top with 77 points.

Finishing in the play-off places seems the most realistic aim, the fight could go down to the wire as only six points separates third placed Huddersfield and 10th placed Millwall. Speaking after his team’s 2-0 win against Barnsley at Bramall Lane, Heckingbottom spoke about the quality of his players and the focus on the task ahead.

Heckingbottom said: “When I first came in, I told everyone what a great opportunity it was. I know these players; I knew their qualities back then and what they were capable of. They’ve got the talent. They’ve shown that before. And they’ve also got the experience.

“They are showing what they’re capable of now, what we all knew back then they are capable of doing. They are showing how much they are prepared to put in to games and how hard they are prepared to work. Now, we’ve got to really buckle down and give it one last big push.”

Heckingbottom is looking to utilise the current international break to get some players back to full fitness.

He said: “We’re trying to use this period to get some lads back. It’s going to be vitally important and we’re working hard to ensure there’s positive news on that front.”

The Blades are next in action in the Championship at Stoke City on