Blackpool have confirmed the extended loan deal of Sheffield United centre-back Ben Heneghan until the end of the season.

The Blades defender has spent the last two seasons at Bloomfield Road on-loan as he looks for a settled spot at the heart of defence after struggling for game time under Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane.

Simon Grayson brought the defender in at the start of the season as they look to make their return to the second division after five years away from the Championship.

Having made 42 league appearances last campaign, Heneghan has continued his regular stint in the Tangerines defence by making 18 appearances in League One this term, scoring twice from centre-back.

There was an element of doubt over Heneghan’s future after it was revealed that there was interest in his signature from Championship trio Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic.

However, Blackpool have moved to ensure this cannot happen by confirming the extension of his loan deal until the end of the season. 

Speaking to the club’s official website, Heneghan was obviously delighted to seal his stay at the club until the end of the season. He stated: “I’m happy to get it over the line and help the club with its ambitions for the rest of the season. 

“The club and the supporters have been really good to me in the 18 months that I’ve been here, and I want to continue to repay the faith the manager and the club have shown in me since I joined.

“We’ve made good additions in the transfer window and hopefully we can continue to grow as a team and have a good second half of the season.”

Heneghan started last night when his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Reading and will be in the squad to face Lincoln City in League One this weekend.

The Verdict

This is the right move all-round for both clubs and the player because everyone was happy with the progress he has made over the past 18 months, so there is no logic in not continuing this deal.

Heneghan has come on a lot under Simon Grayson and the interest from the Championship is justified, so to keep him on for the rest of the season is a great coup.

His contract currently runs until the end of the season so there could be a chance that the 26-year-old could join at the end of the season permanently.