The curtain closed on Sheffield United's season at the weekend with the Blades succumbing to another home defeat against play-off chasing Scunthorpe United.

It meant an 11th place finish for the Blades, their lowest since being relegated to League One five seasons ago, and Nigel Adkins, or whoever is in charge, has a serious rebuilding job on his hands in the summer.

One small shining light from the season is the emergence of a few more players from the Sheffield United academy, with Louis Reed, Ben Whiteman, and Dominic Calvert Lewin all finding themselves in the first team.

The Blades youth team has enjoyed a run to the cup final too, prompting more belief that the next flock of youngsters are well on their way to becoming first team regulars sooner, rather than later.

With this thought in mind, FLW writer Lee Connor has taken a look at THREE academy stars who should break into the first team next season at Bramall Lane.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE SHEFFIELD UNITED ACADEMY STARS!

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Aaron Ramsdale

The young goalkeeper was one of 6 to pen professional contracts with the team earlier this week, and subsequently found himself on the bench for the final game of the season on Sunday.

Ramsdale is already an England youth international, and with the Blades having brought through George Long in the sticks a few seasons ago, Ramsdale will be confident he will be given a chance at some point.

He has played a key role for both the under 21 and under 18 teams this season, and with senior goalkeeper Mark Howard looking set to leave in the summer, Ramsdale will be hoping to be the number 2 next season.

Graham Kelly

The Irish full back has found himself involved with numerous squads this term, but has yet to find himself on the field during those bench appearances.

Kelly will be hoping he can impress in pre season and earn the right to be in with a shout of starting the first game of the season come next August.

The Blades obviously think highly of the youngster, who has signed a new deal recently, and with Jay McEvely out of contract in the summer and expected to leave, Kelly will be hoping to seize his chance.

Kimarni Smith

A pacey striker with an eye for the back of the net, Smith joins the other 2 mentioned in signing professional deals last week.

Smith was spotted playing local league football, and has not looked back since making the switch to Bramall Lane, scoring crucial goals for both the under 18 and under 21 set ups.

United have a good partnership in Billy Sharp and Che Adams, but struggle to back that up much further, and Smith might well see this as his chance to force his name into the reckoning.

If he can be involved in pre season and impress enough, then Smith might well be within touching distance of making the squad next term.

Blades fans, do you agree? Any more for next season from the academy? How proud are you of the youth set up? Let us know below!