Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom frustrated by Cameron Archer delay as striker still to join the Blades despite agreeing £18m fee with Aston Villa
- Cameron Archer had a medical on Thursday after Aston Villa accepted £18m bid
- He missed Friday’s deadline and will not be eligible to face Man City on Sunday
- Sheffield United have lost their opening two games in the Premier League
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom confirmed the deal to sign Cameron Archer will not be completed in time for Sunday’s home Premier League game against Manchester City.
The Aston Villa striker completed his medical on Thursday after a reported fee of £18million was agreed between the two clubs.
When asked if the 21-year-old could make his debut this weekend at Bramall Lane, Heckingbottom said: ‘No, the deadline was today.
‘It’s out of my hands, I don’t know. It’s pointless me saying it’s not happening. I hope it’s happening.
‘I would have loved and Cameron would have loved to be involved on Sunday, but we haven’t done it yet.’
Cameron Archer had a medical on Thursday after Aston Villa accepted a £18m bid
The Blades have been linked with several players following their return to the top flight, including a possible loan deal for Manchester United’s Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri.
‘There’s a lot of people we’ve been speaking about and speaking to, whether that’s the players themselves, the representatives, their family, their parent clubs,’ Heckingbottom said.
‘There’s a lot we’re trying to get done. Knowing that it’s difficult to get players in, so we’ve a few irons in the fire and I’m not going into details because we can’t be relying on one and nothing happens.
‘So we’re working hard on a number of things, but I wouldn’t put a number on it.’
Heckingbottom’s side face a daunting task in their bid to register their first point of the season following narrow defeats to Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in their opening two games.
City boss Pep Guardiola will not be at Bramall Lane following back surgery, but Heckingbottom feels his absence will not affect his players.
Heckingbottom said: ‘I have experienced not being there and I hated it. I presume Pep will be the same.
‘It’s worse for the manager missing games than the players performing. He won’t enjoy it. I will guarantee that and he will be wishing he was there.’
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom hoped to have Archer avaialble to face Man City
Blades’ summer recruit Tom Davies could make his first appearance and on-loan Troyes defender Yasser Larouci is poised to start in the absence of Max Lowe (ankle).
Heckingbottom, who dismissed the notion that City’s visit would be ‘a free hit’, hopes a sold-out Bramall Lane on Sunday can help his players spring an upset.
He added: ‘A huge difference a full house. We love the atmosphere on a matchday. It’s pointless trying to play games down.
‘We want to build them up because every game we play this season is a huge game because of how hard we’re going to have to fight for points. Every game.’
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