Blades send Stead on loan

Stead: Out of favour at Blades

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Sheffield United striker Jon Stead has joined Ipswich Town on loan until January, with the Tractor Boys also agreeing a fee with their Championship rivals should they wish to make the move permanent in the future.

The striker has fallen down the pecking order at Bramall Lane following the summer arrival of Darius Henderson and the imminent return from injury of last season's top scorer James Beattie.

The 25-year-old was left out of the Blades squad for their 0-0 draw with Cardiff on Saturday, fuelling speculation that he is set to depart.

Stead was signed by former boss Neil Warnock in January 2007 and has scored 11 goals in 47 appearances for the Championship side.

While the former Blackburn man finds himself on the move before the transfer window slams shut at midnight on Monday, United boss Kevin Blackwell is expecting to be involved in little activity on deadline day.

"I hope it's not a busy time, but football is a fast moving game on and off the pitch and anything can happen," he told skysports.com.

Experience

Meanwhile, Nicky Law has returned from a trial spell at Plymouth and Blackwell is now looking to send the 20-year-old out on loan.

"There has been a bit of interest for Nicky, but not much more than that yet," he said.

"Nicky needs to get out on loan really to get some more first-team experience."