Heckingbottom on transfers, being 'happy' with squad and Thomas
- Published
Paul Heckingbottom has been speaking to the media before Sheffield United’s game with Everton on Saturday.
Here are the key lines:
He is hoping for more new faces on deadline day: "We are down the line with things. Close is a strange thing because you never know which little bit is going to hold you up. We are not waiting on anyone now or on clubs making decisions – we are in a position now where we are ready to go."
With that in mind, he wants to get business done sharply on Friday: "I would love it if we could get them in early so I could go home after training, put my feet up and prepare for the Everton game. I am hoping that is what our window looks like."
However, he also says he will be content if they do not make any more additions: "I am happy with [the squad] now. Good players and characters. We [only] want to strengthen to give ourselves the best chance."
He accepts his squad, particularly in forward areas, would benefit from more experience: "At the top end of the pitch, what is going to help us to score goals, bearing in mind we are nowhere near the full potential of the boys we have got and those we have signed and where we have signed them from."
New signing Luke Thomas will be in contention to face the Toffees: "Luke has come in to play. He is going to be involved at the weekend. His willingness and desire to come and play for us was a big thing. He knows the league and has good quality."
On any injury concerns: "Lowey [Max Lowe] and Ben [Osborn] are going to be a while. It’d be a stretch for Oli [McBurnie] to do 90 but he’s in contention to start. The plan was to give Anis (Slimane) some minutes last night but it doesn’t always go to plan."