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Pig killer: Preston’s Ben Pringle could be ideal Sheffield United recruit

Charlton's El Hadji Ba in action with Fulham's Ben Pringle (Reuters)
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A move for Pringle would make sense for Sheffield United.

Ben Pringle of Fulham reacts as Diego Fabbrini of Middlesbrough is down injuredBen Pringle in action for Fulham

Despite costing Preston North End £250,000 from Fulham last summer, Ben Pringle has not kicked a ball in 2017 and looks to be on his way out of Deepdale in the coming months.

Former club Rotherham United have already been linked with the midfielder, who has maintained a close friendship with Millers boss Paul Warne [Sheffield Star].

A return to the New York Stadium, where Pringle enjoyed the best spell of his career to date, is sure to appeal, but Championship interest could scupper Rotherham’s chances of a romantic homecoming.

Able to play left, right or through the middle, the 27-year-old – who averages roughly eight combined goals and assists a season in the second tier – could be a smart addition for someone like Sheffield United, for example, who are only a win away from swapping places with their local rivals next season.

Ben Pringle celebrates an own goal from Fulham's Nikolay Bodurov and the third goal for Rotherham UnitedBen Pringle celebrates a goal for Rotherham

Pringle’s capture would likely go down well at Bramall Lane for reasons as well as his playing ability, given his previous with United’s other foes from down the road.

A scorer in Rotherham’s League Cup win against Sheffield Wednesday in 2013, Pringle took to Twitter afterwards, christening himself ‘The Pig Killer’.

And with a quartet of Blades midfielders – Chris Basham, Paul Coutts, Stefan Scougall and Matty Done – out of contract this summer, it’s a deal which would certainly make sense.

Should Sheffield United make a move for Pringle this summer?