Sheffield United recall youngster Tyler Smith from Barrow loan as Leon Clarke faces late fitness test ahead of West Bromwich Albion test
Smith scored 11 goals in 24 appearances for the Bluebirds and was originally scheduled to stay with the club until the new year. But amid doubts over Clarke's ability for the visit of the Baggies, he has been recalled prematurely.
'We're just assessing Leon and we'll give him as much time as possible,' Blades boss Chris Wilder said.
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Hide Ad'We've recalled young Tyler from Barrow, where he's done well and scored a few goals. That's good, for the lad and for the other youngsters in the academy.
'They had a good result last night at Middlesbrough in the FA Youth Cup and they're seeing opportunities for themselves.
'So if Leon isn't involved, then Tyler will '“ and we're looking forward to that.'
Barrow boss Ian Evatt, formerly of Chesterfield, hoped to hold on to Smith's services, telling The Mail:Â 'He's a kid whose attitude to training is a minority these days.
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Hide Ad'Some of the young players of today probably don't train as hard as they should do, they take things for granted, some of them, but Tyler certainly doesn't.
'His work ethic '“ I have to drag him off the training pitch every single day and tell him '˜that's enough.'
'I have to physically get him off the pitch because he wants to improve and he wants to learn and he's going to have a fantastic career and we're seeing the fruits of what he can do right now.'