Sheffield United chief executive Trevor Birch has confirmed new boss Gary Speed will be given funds to enter the transfer market. The Welshman is already understood to be tracking several unnamed players and Birch is hopeful Speed can add to his squad before the transfer window shuts.

"Hopefully Gary will be able to utilise the remaining part of the transfer window," Birch told the Sheffield Star.

"That's something we are working very hard on to enable him to do.

"Gary is very much his own man. The position of manager here is sacrosanct. He will dictate who comes in, he will dictate the style of play and he will call the shots."