Luton Town are in pole position to sign Sheffield United centre back Ben Heneghan, The Sun journalist Alan Nixon has reported.

Heneghan is well down the pecking order at the Blades, having spent the last season and a half on-loan with League One side Blackpool, for whom he has made a total of 71 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals.

The defender's loan with the Seasiders is set to expire this month, and with his contract at Bramall Lane coming to an end this summer, it has been suggested that he could be sold in January before he is able to leave the Premier League side for free at the end of the season.

According to recent reports, that has attracted plenty of interest from the Championship, with Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic also credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, although it appears it could be the Hatters who win this particular race.

According to Nixon's latest update, Luton are now at the front of the queue to secure a deal for the defender, who is not expected to set them back significantly when it comes to transfer fees.

It has been a difficult season for Luton so far on their return to the Championship, with Graeme Jones' side bottom of the second-tier standings with 21 points from 26 games so far this season.

The Verdict

This looks as though it could be a welcome boost for Luton.

Given the challenging situation they currently find themselves in, it is hard to argue with the suggestion that they need to strengthen this month, if they are to have any hope of surviving in the Championship this season.

Heneghan does seem to be someone that could help them do that given his reliability at the back, and it appears this is a deal they could be capable of getting done without too much fuss, so you imagine they will want it sorted sooner rather than later.