Sheffield United should soon open contract talks with striker Oli McBurnie to keep him at the club.

That is the view of manager Paul Heckingbottom, who spoke about his 27-year-old frontman.

After a foot issue kept him out of action, McBurnie is closing in on full fitness with the Blades.

Speculation this week has linked McBurnie with a move to Leeds United, who are in the Championship.

Asked about the forward staying, Heckingbottom replied: “I hope so, yes."

“Everyone knows with me and Oli it's a bit of tough love," Heckingbottom added.

“I've got loads of time for him but I also know that, certainly in the last few years certainly at Sheffield United, people haven't seen him at his best of what I know he can do, and also what Oli knows he can do.

“He'll be pushed towards that and if we fall a little bit short, it's better than just accepting where we are right now, isn't it? That's the approach – he will be pushed and pushed and pushed.

“I enjoy working on the training pitch but you need the buy-in from the player so it's down to them. However you do it – how personable you are, find something in their game – you need to get the buy-in and be able to push it. You also need to be ruthless and relentless enough to not take no for an answer. If someone does fail here, it won't be because of us."