A BLADES pounds 3m EDGE.

Sheff Utd v P'boro KEVIN BLACKWELL has been told he can go on a New Year spending spree in a bid to salvage Sheffield United's faltering promotion hopes.

The Blades are planning a major recruitment drive when the transfer window re-opens with chairman Kevin McCabe willing to hand him up to pounds 3million to spend.

Blackwell has spoken to McCabe and told him he needs to bolster his injuryravaged squad before it becomes too late to save their season.

The Blades have slumped into the bottom half of the table following a winless run of eight games.

They have appointed Trevor Birch as their new chief executive and he is expected to come up with the funds Blackwell needs.

Blackwell, whose side face Peterborough today, is drawing up a list of up to six targets from home and abroad.

He said: "We've got four or five lads who will be out of contract in January and so could have to go back (from loan spells).

"We will have to make one or two permanent signings, and are looking everywhere, including abroad.

"There are only a handful of the team which reached the play-off final last season still here and that's too big a turnover."

CAPTION(S):

SPLASH THE CASH Boss Blackwell can boost squad