Sheffield United are expected to complete the loan signing of former Middlesbrough and Deerby County defender Andrew Davies from Premier League outfit Stoke City next week.

After failed attempts to bring in fellow Premier League defenders Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers) and Zurab Khizanishvilli (Blackburn Rovers) the Blades upped their attempts to replace the injured Matthew Kilgallon by agreeing a deal to sign Davies from Stoke.

However the deal is expected to go through next week in time to face Swansea City at the LIberty Stadium as his services are required for next Tuesday's Carling Cup fixture with Blackpool.

Though it wouldn't come as much of a surprise if Newcastle United snatched him at the last minute!!!