Forgotten man Jamie Shackleton’s versatility could earn him a shot at Sheffield United redemption next season as Chris Wilder unveils plans to trim the size of his squad in the summer
Sheffield United forgotten man Jamie Shackleton has been earmarked for a role in the Blades’ plans for next season, The Star understands, as United press ahead with a dramatic reshaping of their playing squad. Part of manager Chris Wilder’s big summer refresh is trimming the numbers at his disposal.
A number of players are expected to move on as part of that, with Wilder and his staff identifying “22 or 23” as the ideal squad size going forward. That will be supplemented by young players from the academy and with 20 names in a matchday squad these days, and United often working on the assumption that 20 per cent will be out through injury, potentially doesn’t include goalkeepers either.
Forgotten former Leeds United man set for big Sheffield United chance as overlooked trait comes to fore
But the leaner group will also place added emphasis on players capable of playing in more than one position, something that works very much in Shackleton’s favour. He can play in midfield as well as in both full-back positions.
Many Unitedites expected the former Leeds United man to potentially move on in the summer after an injury-hit time since making the move to South Yorkshire. But he has a year left on his deal and as things stand is set to be handed a chance to play a part.
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Shackleton’s latest injury setback this season saw him omitted from United’s 25-man squad for the second half of the campaign, meaning he will not be able to play any part in the Blades’ remaining four games this term.
But he is desperate to kickstart his career if the chance arises and repay the faith shown in him by United, who brought him in from his boyhood club in the summer of 2024. He started well in that pre-season before suffering a serious-looking injury away at Rotherham United, and has played only 15 times competitively since.
“We've got to be tight,” Wilder said of his squad plans for next season, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to his former club Watford. “We're going to have a tight group next year. We're going to be running with 22 and 23 players, so we're not going to go anywhere near the numbers that we've got this season. And everybody has to be available.”
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