Cotterill desperate for Blades move

The former Bristol City forward has made little impact on the Latics first team and has been dropeed by John Toshack from the Welsh national squad. However a loan spell with the Blades rekindled his appetite for football as the young striker performed well in the Championship.

It now seems likely that Cotterill will be allowed to leave if United offer around £2 million for his services. Cotterill cost the Latics £2.5 million from Bristol City two summers ago.

Blackwell said: "I hope to tie up a deal for a wideman soon. Cotterill is desperate to come back and Martin has made it clear that he feels the same.

"There's a possibility that we could get both, there's a need to change games and strength in-depth is massive for this division. We've got options."