But the traffic was all one-way away from Bramall Lane as first Jon Stead agreed a loan move to Ipswich with a view to a permanent transfer, and then Michael Tonge was sold to Stoke City for a reported £2 million. The surprise deal for Tonge was a classic piece of transfer deadline day drama, with the midfielder not arriving at the Britannia Stadium to talk terms until after 10pm.

The sale of Tonge, a product of the Blades Academy who rose to prominence thanks to his heroics during the 2002-03 Worthington Cup run, leaves a hole at the centre of the Blades' midfield which manager Kevin Blackwell is likely to plug with a loan signing, although forgotten man Lee Hendrie could find himself with a second chance to shine in the first team after impressing in a cameo role in the Carling Cup first round. The only player coming into a South Yorkshire club on deadline day was 24-year-old Spanish forward Omar Garcia, who joins Rotherham on a free transfer. Free agent Garcia had been on trial with the Millers for a week, having been released by Athletic Bilbao at the end of last season.

• The Blades, Owls, Reds and Rovers are without a game this weekend due to the international break.