United boss John Sheridan spoke to us about the arrival of Rotherham forward Jerry Yates and Sheffield United midfielder Regan Slater as he continues to build his squad ahead of the start of the 2018/19 campaign.
“We’re pleased to get Jerry and Regan in to add to what we’ve already got,” he said. “We’ve said before that we were short of bodies, and they’re two good young players who ill make us better.
“They’ll come in and compete, they’ll add to the competition in the squad and hopefully we can add one or two more.”
“They were both really keen to come, which I liked about them,” he added. “I think they’re going to be really good players for us.
“I want competition for places, I don’t want anyone to think they’re automatic starters, and that includes these new lads that I’m signing. I want everyone fighting hard to be a starter for the first game of the season.”
On what we can expect to see from the duo, he told us: “Jerry is a bit different to what we’ve already got up front. He’s lively and he’ll play on the shoulder.
“I think he’s one of those players who just needs to be playing. He’s done really well for Rotherham, but he’s been in and out of the side because of the quality of strikers they’ve got there. He’s a young kid and I believe if he’s playing on a regular basis he’s got goals in him.
“Regan is a player myself and Tommy [Wright] have always liked. He looks like a baby, but when he’s out on the pitch he definitely doesn’t act like one. He’s small but he’s a competitor, he’s got good energy to get around the pitch and he’s a very good player.”
With them joining the squad late in pre-season, he said: “Both lads have been training and playing at their respective clubs. They’ve both had run-outs in games during pre-season so they’re as fit as our lads.
“There’s no playing catch-up for them because they’ve already been involved. We needed some energy, so I’m really pleased with both signings.”
With work still ongoing behind the scenes to bring more new faces into the mix, the manager admitted that a level of patience has been required as he looks to continue that building process.
“I know what I’ve got to work with and how I’ve got to do things,” he told us. “Getting players in is hard work, at times, but you’ve just got to keep going.
“I still feel like we need a right-sided centre half, and we’re still working on that. I’m just looking towards the first game of the season and making sure we’re strong in all departments.
“Even since last week, we’ve now got Jamie Devitt, Gary Miller and Richie Bennett back in the squad after their little injuries, so that makes us look a bit stronger.
“Tomorrow is a tougher test for us and I’m sure it’ll be a good game. Training is going really well at the moment and the fitness levels are good, so it’s about getting minutes on the pitch in the games now.
“We’ve still got another two weeks before the first game and it’s all about building up to that.”