KALVIN Phillips and Joe Rothwell have already made their mark at Sheffield United - even though they have yet to kick a competitive ball in anger.
Chris Wilder expects it to be a few weeks before ex-Leeds United midfielder and England international Phillips is in starting contention, given his starvation of game-time at parent club Manchester City. It won't be a problem for Rothwell.
He is likely to be in the mix for Monday's home game with Wilder's former club Middlesbrough.
Another ex-Boro man in Patrick Bamford is unlikely to be, after picking up an ankle issue in training.
Sheffield, England, 3rd February 2026. Sheffield United new signings Joe Rothwell and Kalvin Phillips are introduced to the crowd before the Sheffield United vs Oxford United Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture: Simon Bellis / Sportimageplaceholder image
Sheffield, England, 3rd February 2026. Sheffield United new signings Joe Rothwell and Kalvin Phillips are introduced to the crowd before the Sheffield United vs Oxford United Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Phillips and Rothwell both arrived on deadline day, to boost United's options. They have made an immediate impact, psychologically as much as anything, as United's Shirecliffe training base, according to Wilder.
The Blades boss said: "Straightaway. Standards, quality, attitude…
"They have not come in, giving it 'the big 'un' walking through the door and saying: 'I'm here’. Not Kalvin, not Joe and not with Leo (Hjelde). It wasn't with Ki-Jana (Hoever), Pat (Bamford) or Jairo (Riedewald) either.
"I've got to say, if I was a player and those players walked through the door, I'd go: 'This is game on, it's great, this'. I wouldn't look at that from a negative point of view.
Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford. Picture: Jake Youle / Sportimageplaceholder image
Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford. Picture: Jake Youle / Sportimage
"And if they do look at it from a negative point of view, they're not going to survive. And they certainly won't survive here - if players just feel that 'my position is at stake and I'm under some pressure'.
"Yes, you are. And they should be putting that pressure on themselves and rising to that challenge. Certainly in that midfield area now, there's some big decisions to be made and some big challenges for all the players."
Up top, the likely absence of Bamford, who has impressed since initially joining the club on a short-term basis until the deal was extended, is an untimely one for Wilder.
Wilder said: "He took a heavy knock to his ankle. We're waiting for the swelling to come down and (will) give him as much time as possible. But I don't think he'll train for the next two or three days.
"There's no structural issue, but obviously he's going to be a major, major doubt for Monday night, which is disappointing.
"The sooner we get him back, the better because he's been integral for me in the way we play. Off the pitch, he's been outstanding and on it."