Derby County are interested in signing young Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Arblaster on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The high-flying Rams are right in the mix for automatic promotion under Paul Warne and are looking to strengthen the ranks in January.
And according to The Sun, their search for new players is leading them towards United youngster Arblaster, who has recently returned from being on loan at Port Vale.
Arblaster is currently injured though after suffering a bad looking knock to the knee. However, he is expected to be out for just weeks rather than long-term, leaving Chris Wilder with a decision to make on the youngster.
Derby looking at Sheffield United’s Oliver Arblaster
In terms of loan players impressing away from Sheffield United, Ollie Arblaster certainly left an impression on those at Port Vale.
He was widely lauded by fans for his performances while there, and once he departed, he won the praise of Vale Director of Football, David Flitcroft.
“Ollie has been a model professional since joining us on the first day of our pre-season training camp in Spain and has adapted to regular first-team football brilliantly. His football intelligence, infectious personality hard work, enthusiasm on and off the pitch has earned him several call-ups to the England Under-20 Squad during his time with us,” Flitcroft said of the youngster.
Chris Wilder had previously said he wanted Arblaster back with the group to work with and improve over the next six months.
However, with Derby doing well and Paul Warne well known in these parts, Wilder may well reconsider.
Another loan won’t hurt Arblaster
It seemed a shame to bring him back from Port Vale really but the injury did seem to dictate that a bit as well.
In terms of our first-team, it’s hard to see where young Ollie fits in right now. Andre Brooks is making a big impression as we know and the likes of Hamer, Souza and Norwood are probably still ahead of Arblaster.
However, there has been no place for John Fleck of late and that might be something Wilder takes into consideration, in addition to the rest of the window.
Certainly, a loan to Derby wouldn’t be a bad move for Arblaster. They are doing well now under Warne and if he’s going to play, then it’s a good deal.
On the flipside, it would be nice to see him involved here as well.