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Speed eyes De Laet stay

Image: De Laet: Could stay with Blades

Sheffield United boss Gary Speed is hoping to extend defender Ritchie De Laet's loan spell.

Blades boss looks to prolong stopper's loan deal

Sheffield United boss Gary Speed is hoping to extend Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet's loan spell. The Belgium international has appeared three times for the Blades since arriving on a temporary basis at the end of last month. His most recent outing was in central defence in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Watford as cover for injured duo Chris Morgan and Kyle Bartley. Manager Speed is hoping to prolong the 21-year-old's stay at Bramall Lane as the south Yorkshire side look to bounce back from three games without a win.

Excellent

"It's something we shall look at because he has had two excellent games for us," said Speed. "Having said that I would rather have been playing him at right-back because that would have meant that our centre-backs were fit." Morgan was a surprise inclusion on the bench against the Hornets despite a hamstring injury, and Speed admits the captain was primarily there to boost morale. He added: "Chris wasn't really fit, but just his presence is crucial to everyone here and I think he will be back in training (next week)."

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