Veteran defender Craig Short has finally committed his future to Sheffield United.
Such was the disappointment surrounding United’s lack of activity on Thursday’s transfer deadline day, it largely went unnoticed that Short put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.
The 38-year-old had previously intended to retire after helping United secure their return to the top flight but underwent a change of heart over the Summer, much to the delight of manager Neil Warnock.
Short’s experience will be welcome in United’s bid for survival, but whether the giant centre half is worthy of a starting place in the Premiership is open to debate.
Last season Short was restricted to only 23 appearances for the Blades. In those games United won 12, lost 5 and drew 6 of them. Those statistics probably add weight to the opinion that Short’s importance at Bramall Lane is slightly exaggerated.
Nevertheless, the club and Warnock are clearly glad to have a man of Short’s Premiership knowhow within their ranks. The player is currently recovering after tearing fibres in his thigh and is not expected to feature in Saturday’s home fixture against Blackburn Rovers.
United signed Short on a free from Rovers where he made 141 appearances for Mark Hughes’ men in a six-year spell.
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