Ruben Selles is closing in on a major Sheffield United arrival as the Blades get a fitness boost ahead of the new season.
Ruben Selles is optimistic of adding another vital player to his Sheffield United squad before the start of the new season, although one off the pitch rather than on it. The Spaniard succeeded Chris Wilder as Blades manager earlier this summer, bringing in experienced players James Oliver-Pearce and Toby Loveland.
However, Selles indicated his intention to add another coach to his staff, with Matt Prestridge, Alan Knill, and Jack Lester following Wilder out the exit door. Although Micky Collins and Matt Duke remained at United, Selles thought his staff lacked depth, with a foreign coach lined up to supplement the existing backroom team.
However, that procedure has been impeded by the same administrative obstacles that have slowed United’s progress in the transfer market, with entrance to the UK for employment purposes being a far more difficult process since the UK’s departure from the European Union in January 2020.
Djibril Soumare, the Braga midfielder, has been stymied by red tape as he prepares to make the initial loan move to Bramall Lane ahead of the new season, while United will continue to trawl overseas markets as they attempt to complete Selles’ roster.
Ruben Selles is closing in on a major Sheffield United arrival as the Blades get a fitness boost ahead of the new season
“It’s an ongoing situation,” Selles explained of the coach hunt. “We have the candidate; we are only completing the paperwork, but this is the same case with certain players. It can be difficult to obtain coaches from other countries at times, and we are still working on the necessary documentation.”
United, meantime, have received confirmation that skipper Jack Robinson’s injury is not as serious as initially feared, giving them an availability boost ahead of their season opener at home to Bristol City on August 9.
The former Liverpool player was forced to leave United’s friendly against Burton Albion just before halftime last week and was not included in the team that faced Chesterfield the following weekend. However, he has been evaluated and may play a role in United’s final warm-up game this weekend, which will be played behind closed doors against a Premier League team. “He will be around seven days, so he should be available in the middle of next week with us,” Selles said on Saturday.
“There was an overload in the feet, which we are controlling, and he should be back with authorities and recuperation specialists on Monday. And by the middle of next week, he should be back training with us.”
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