The Sheffield Telegraph understands that Sheffield United plan on offering a long-term contract to highly-rated goalkeeper George Long this summer. He has now established himself as the number one keeper at Bramall Lane.
The ex-England Under-20 international’s current deal expires this summer but it is believed that the club are already in discussions with representatives of the player to extend his stay.
It has been a frustrated campaign for the Blades, who look set to miss out on a play-off spot in League One this season. However the emergency of Long has been one of the bright points without a doubt and Adkins clearly wants him to remain with the club and continue his improvement and education.
He made his debut with the club back in 2011 and the 22-year-old has since restricted Mark Howard to a watching brief as the sub-goalkeeper on the bench. The player himself is purely focusing on the remaining matches this season and believes that a play-off finish could now be out of reach,
“If we’d played like that all season, I think we’d be in there.
“But what’s happened earlier this season has gone now and all we can focus on is the next couple of games, trying to play the same way and trying to win.
“Then, we’ll see where it takes us. All we can do is take it game by game because, more often than not, that level of performance will get you a win.”
Long will be between the sticks when the Blades travel to local rivals Chesterfield this weekend, knowing only a win would keep alive their already slim chances of finishing in a play-off place once again.
