Blackwell snubs Kilgallon inquiry

Blackwell looking to sign centre-back on loan

Last updated: 26th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Blackwell snubs Kilgallon inquiry

Kilgallon: A Newcastle target

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Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has turned down an approach for defender Matthew Kilgallon.

The 25-year-old is a target of Newcastle and he rejected a new contract at Bramall Lane in October to increase speculation he is set to leave the club.

Rumours had suggested the Magpies were to sign Kilgallon on loan before Thursday evening's deadline, but boss Chris Hughton has indicated a January deal would be his preference.

Blackwell is uncertain regarding the centre-back's future, fearing his head has been turned by the transfer conjecture, and admits he has received interest in the former Leeds player from an unnamed club.

The Blades boss told his club's official website: "There has been an inquiry about Matt that has been turned down because we did not think it represented value for money for us.

Best interests

"He can, of course, go for nothing in the summer but we are not giving players away for nothing. In Matt's case, either way it is in his best interests to play as well as he can.

"I believe that all the speculation has affected him because he hasn't been the same player that he was last season."

With Kilgallon's future unclear and Andrew Davies' temporary stay from Stoke set to expire in December, Blackwell, who recently captured Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, is considering a last-minute loan signing of a centre-back.

He said: "Davies' loan ends on 19th December and I just don't know what will happen about 'Killa' at the moment.

"But I can't allow us to be left short so I am hopeful of bringing someone in anyway."