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Oliver Norwood: "I can't see myself leaving Sheffield United"

Oliver Norwood:
© Reuters
Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood will enter the final year of his existing deal at the end of the season.

Oliver Norwood wants to finish his career at Sheffield United after admitting the club are targeting a place in Europe next season.

The 28-year-old is one of a handful of players Blades boss Chris Wilder wants to sign a new contract, with the likes of John Lundstram, Enda Stevens and John Fleck already in talks over new deals.

Wilder has said he is "100 per cent certain" that Norwood will reach an agreement with the club – a belief the former Northern Ireland international was happy to confirm.

"It's nice that the club want me to stay here," he said. "I've spoken to the manager and the powers that be. We'll get there. It's as simple as that.

"Why, from a personal point of view, would I want to go anywhere else? It's a special place to be and arguably I want to be here for the rest of my career. I can't see myself leaving and why would I want to?"

Norwood joined the Blades from Brighton, Saturday's opponents in the Premier League at Bramall Lane, at the beginning of last season, helping the club win promotion to the top flight.

He has made 26 Premier League appearances this campaign as Wilder's side have taken the division by storm, putting themselves firmly in contention for a Champions League spot with 12 matches remaining.

Asked if qualifying for that competition, or the Europa League, is now a realistic target for a team written off as relegation favourites at the beginning of the season, Norwood said: "We've put ourselves in a good position.

"It would be silly to say we don't dream or that we haven't spoken about it among ourselves. But we know it's going to be tough and we know there's a long way to go and that we're still not there yet.

"But I do think we've earned everybody's respect. We have put ourselves in a wonderful position but nobody is settling – the manager wouldn't let us settle."

The Blades have returned from their winter break in Dubai with a fully fit squad. David McGoldrick was an unused substitute in the win against Bournemouth on February 9 after a foot injury but the striker has now fully recovered from the problem.

January signings Richairo Zivkovic and Panos Retsos played in a behind-closed doors friendly this week and will hope to be involved against Brighton.

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder peers at the action on February 1, 2020
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


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