Speed tracks Halmosi as Blades eye recruits

Championship

Ian Appleyard

SHEFFIELD United manager Gary Speed has confirmed his interest in Hull City winger Peter Halmosi.

The Hungarian international was a target for the Blades two summers ago but opted instead for life in the Premier League when leaving Plymouth Argyle in a 2m deal.

Amid pressure to reduce the Hull wage bill, Halmosi has not figured since the appointment of new manager Nigel Pearson in the summer.

Speed is willing to take the 30-year-old on loan but the two clubs may first have to reach agreement on splitting his reported 20,000-a-week wages.

“There has been no approach, we are just monitoring it,” said Speed ahead of today’s trip to Derby County. “There are hundreds of players on the list and Halmosi is one of them.”

Speed is stressing the need to keep his former Welsh international team-mate Robbie Savage, now at Derby, under lock and key today but also expressed his firm admiration for the veteran midfielder.

Savage, 35, was voted Player of the Season by Derby supporters this summer and now combines his playing role with that of anchorman on BBC Radio Five Live’s 606 phone-in show.

“For all his media commitments, Robbie still gives 100 per cent whenever he crosses that white line,” said Speed. “You will never get anything less.

“I speak to him quite often on the phone and he’s a great lad. For everything that goes with him, people forget that he is a good player. He makes Derby tick, he is experienced, he drops on the ball, gets the seconds, knows where it is going to land, and gets them passing. We are going to have to make sure we lock on to him.

“He is misunderstood,” Speed added. “If you take everyone’s opinion in football, you are not going to like anyone.

“You have to learn to take people at face value and make your own mind up.

“He has now matured and is forging a career in the media. It hurts me to say this – but he is actually quite good.”