Should Sheffield United consider Newcastle’s Colback as Coutts replacement?

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With Paul Coutts injured should Sheffield United consider Jack Colback with Newcastle willing to sell?

Lucas Akins of Burton tackles Paul Coutts of Sheffield Utd during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Pirelli Stadium.

Sheffield United’s form in the Championship since a season-ending injury sustained by Paul Coutts suggests that they are missing the midfielder.

Coutts was stretchered off the pitch with a broken leg during the 3-1 victory at Burton Albion on November 17 – a result which moved the Blades to the top of the table.

Chris Wilder, manager of Sheffield United, claps the fans after the Sky Bet Championship match against Derby County.

Since then Chris Wilder’s men have lost five, drawn three and won just one of their nine league outings to drop to seventh and out of the playoffs.

John Lundstram has been adequate filling in for Coutts but there is still a feeling that a new player is needed in the middle of the park, with the Sheffield Star reporting there is an improved bid on the table for Southend United captain Ryan Leonard after a £700,000 offer was rejected just before the January transfer window opened.

However, with the Shrimpers continuing to play hardball over Leonard – who was also the subject of two rejected bids from the South Yorkshire side over the summer – should Wilder turn his attention elsewhere?

Jack Colback in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

According to the Mirror, Newcastle United are ready to sell Jack Colback this month with the 28-year-old having failed to make a single first team appearance this season.

Colback’s former club Sunderland are thought to be interested, although their current position in the relegation zone perhaps does not make them as attractive a prospect as promotion-chasing United.

Two potential stumbling blocks could be the England international’s reluctance to move his family from the North East and his expensive wages, but in the second tier of English football he could prove to be a useful asset to Wilder in the absence of Coutts.