Reports continue to link full-back Chris Armstrong with a move away from the club to Championship rivals Reading, who are believed to be lining a bid in the region of £500,000 as they seek to replace the recently departed Nicky Shorey.

Former Bury and Oldham man Armstrong has yet to feature in the Championship this season and following the arrival of Gary Naysmith from Everton in the summer may find his appearances limited this season.

Blackwell though denied that a move was imminent, confirming "We've heard nothing from Reading. At the moment it is purely paper talk."

The Blades boss, who has already allowed Rob Hulse and Chris Lucketti to leave United, has not ruled out the possibility of further departures before the deadline.

But he knows he must balance any exits against the effect this could have on his squad and insists he will continue to look at the option of bringing players into the club.

He will be boosted however with the news of Sunderland's signing of Djibril Cisse, which will put paid to any irritating speculation surrounding a move to the Stadium of Light for striker James Beattie.

One player who seemingly won't be arriving in however is former-Blade Michael Brown, with Wigan boss Steve Bruce saying: "I keep hearing the Brown rumour but there's nothing in it.

"In fact, I don't see us doing anything before the transfer window shuts. We need a good squad and I've only got three central midfield players."

Former Blade David Sommeil was this week admitted to hospital after suffering heart trouble during a training session with current side Valenciennes. Sommeil was on a bench taking in fluid and talking to team-mates when he fell backwards and lost consciousness.

A club doctor used a defibrillator on Sommeil, and reports claim he was given mouth to mouth by worried team-mates.

The 34-year-old was then taken to the city's hospital, where he is being looked after.

A club statement confirmed: "According to medical staff at VAFC, David Sommeil has been the victim of a heart problem bringing about a loss of consciousness.

"He has been admitted to the intensive care unit of the Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes."

Meanwhile, Blades defender Matt Kilgallon believes his best is yet to come after being named in the Championship's team of the week.

The 24-year-old, along with team-mate Billy Sharp, received the recognition following the Blades' 3-0 win over Queen's Park Rangers and Kilgallon said: "I feel that I am more of a dominant centre-half these days. I'm only 24 and I think I am getting better and stronger all the time."