Sheffield United are considering sending Luke Thomas back from his loan spell with the club early, according to reports.
The City academy graduate joined the Premier League club on a season-long loan in the summer transfer window as the Blades prepared for life back in the top division. But Thomas has struggled to have made the impact he would have hoped at Bramall Lane.
Under Paul Heckingbottom, the 22-year-old appeared in all 12 Premier League games. However, after only one win and two draws, the manager was fired and replaced by Chris Wilder. Thomas has only appeared once since his hiring, in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
He was an unused substitute for all of the other games under Wilder, and was even left out of the squad for the 3-2 Boxing Day loss vs Luton Town. It now seems that he could be returning to the King Power Stadium earlier than expected.
According to Alan Nixon of the Sun, Sheffield United’may’ send Thomas back to City when the January transfer market opens in order to free up a loan spot in their team. The severity of Max Lowe’s injury, which Thomas filled in for this weekend, could have an impact on any decision.
If Thomas returns to City in January, he may find it difficult to break into Enzo Maresca’s plans. He could play a hybrid left-back/centre-back role in the club, but with Callum Doyle’s return from injury and James Justin’s current form, he may battle for minutes, especially since it’s an area City may need to bolster in the January window.
The most likely consequence would be for the defender to be loaned out to a new club or permanently sold. Leeds United were strongly connected with a move in the summer, but City are unlikely to assist a promotion rival in the January market.
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