Blackpool's on loan Sheffield United defender Ben Heneghan has refused to rule out a permanent move to Bloomfield Road next season

The 25-year-old joined on a season-long loan from the Blades and has racked up 37 League One starts for Terry McPhillips' side. The Blackpool boss voiced his desire to keep the former Motherwell man at the club last week.

Heneghan has played just once for Chris Wilder's Championship high-flyers and he admitted at least whilst he was playing, his talents were on show.

“I suppose when you’re playing you’re always in the shop window but I’ve got another year left at Sheffield United,” Heneghan told the Blackpool Gazette.

“I’ll have to speak to them and see what happens after getting through these next four games. I just want to go somewhere and be playing. Personally if you’re not playing, you’re not happy. That’s just how players think.”

When asked outright whether he'd like to return to Blackpool next season he refused to commit either way, instead replying; “We don’t know what the future holds, do we? So we’ll see.”

Blackpool have little to play for in terms of promotion and relegation, being 11 points outside the top six but 14 clear of the bottom four. Heneghan claimed there was still plenty to motivate the players.

“You’ve got to play for your future firstly, but we want to want to finish as high as we can, so last four games we’ve just got to go and give it our all.”

The central defender began his career with Chester, before moving to the SPFL with Motherwell where he made 41 starts, scoring once.

The Verdict

It doesn't sound like a player completely convinced he wants to return to Blackpool to me. Sheffield United might be going up but, if they don't, there's got to be an opportunity there for him.

With their three centre back policy, there's surely a chance he could go back to Bramall Lane and get matches. He certainly doesn't seem willing to rule that out, just as he refuses to rule out a return to Bloomfield Road.