Hibs’ David Wotherspoon on radar for Blades

By COLLEEN STRACHAN
Published on 08/06/2012 12:00

SHEFFIELD UNITED are tracking the progress of versatile Hibs youngster David Wotherspoon.

Blades boss Danny Wilson is on the lookout for a right-sided player who can be used in different positions, and the Evening News has learned that Wotherspoon is on a list of players Wilson is eyeing up.

The 22-year-old can play at right-back, right of midfield or in the centre, and his willingness to adapt to several roles has attracted the attention of Wilson.

Sheffield United failed in their quest to gain promotion from League One to the Championship last season, losing to Huddersfield on penalties in the play-off final. Consequently, the Bramall Lane club need to drastically cut their wage bill, and several high earners will be shipped on.

Wilson has indicated in the past that he sees the Scottish leagues as a good marketplace for United. He would have tabled a £500,000 bid for Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas had the Blades won promotion, and he attempted to sign Rangers pair Kyle Hutton and John Fleck last season, only for paperwork to scupper those deals. He already has three Scots in his side – Ryan Flynn, Kevin McDonald and Neil Collins.

Wotherspoon is believed to have impressed Wilson with his performances in the Scotland Under-21 side, where he has kept his place in the starting XI despite falling out of favour with Hibs boss Pat Fenlon. Wotherspoon has been used sporadically in recent games for the Easter Road Club and was left out of the squad altogether for the Scottish Cup final a few weeks ago. Scotland Under-21 manager Billy Stark recently spoke of Wotherspoon’s “huge disappointment” at missing the match.

United’s wage budget is understood to be higher than that at Hibs. However, the Yorkshire club would have to fork out for Wotherspoon, who is under contract until the summer of 2014.

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