Sheffield United: Tyrese Campbell exploits are easing potential Leicester City transfer regrets | OneFootball

Campbell has been a standout for the Blades while Tom Cannon has struggled to make his mark

Tyrese Campbell has proven himself to be one of the shrewdest signings in Sheffield United's recent history, with an impressive goal record this season since a free transfer last summer, and his form is making up for the lack of impact from winter arrival Tom Cannon, who could turn out to be a flop for the Blades.

Campbell joined the Blades for no fee after leaving Stoke City upon the expiry of his contract last June, and while he has battled injury concerns over the last few months, he has undoubtedly been a key man for Chris Wilder's side in their push for Championship promotion.

Another United striker with Stoke links, Tom Cannon, has not had quite the same impact at Bramall Lane up to now. The Republic of Ireland international joined the Blades from Leicester City for a reported fee of around £10m in January, but has struggled to nail down a starting spot at his new club.

He was a hit on loan at the relegation-battling Potters in the first-half of the campaign, yet his form has not transferred to the promotion-chasers so far. Campbell's form is a huge positive for the club though, and it could ease the potential transfer regret for Sheffield United involving Cannon in the months to come.

Tyrese Campbell has been a surprise key player for Sheffield United this season

Campbell was always a highly-rated talent at Stoke, but had lost his way in his last few seasons with the Potters due to persistent injury issues and then a lack of playing time and form when he was fit.

He has battled well to prove his worth in the Championship this season, and is now reaping the rewards for his persistence.

Some eyebrows may have been raised in both ST4 and S2 when he joined the Blades ahead of this term with a record of three goals in 23 league appearances last season, but Wilder's decision to sign him has been vindicated with strong performances and a decent goal return that has seen him contribute earnestly to their promotion efforts.

The 25-year-old actually netted his first goal for his new club against Stoke in October, which sparked him to go on a hot streak of five goals and one assist in the next seven Championship outings, including a winner in his first Steel City Derby in November.

He suffered a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for a month around Christmas, and then found it tough to get back into the starting 11 after the turn of the year, but he has now played from the off in all of their last six outings and looks to have found his scoring touch once again.

Campbell has netted in three of his last four Championship appearances against the likes of QPR, Preston North End and Bristol City as United look to secure an immediate promotion back to the Premier League. He also provided an assist to Rhian Brewster in the return derby fixture against Sheffield Wednesday last time out to help the Blades emerge 1-0 victors once again.

It is no surprise to see him sitting third in the second-tier for goals scored per 90 minutes this season, with nine strikes from just 15 starts and 1,220 minutes of game-time. United will wonder where they might have been in the promotion race had he been fit and firing all season, and he will no doubt have a part to play next season regardless of their league status.

Tom Cannon has struggled to make an impact at Sheffield United and could soon be deemed a flop

Tom Cannon has already shown that he has all the tools to be a regular scorer in the Championship when given the right service, but his time at Bramall Lane has been nothing short of a real disapppointment for both him and the club so far.

Cannon joined Stoke on loan from Leicester City last summer and notched 11 goals in 25 appearances for the Potters before the Foxes saw fit to recall him in January to sell him on for a sizeable fee.

An almighty transfer battle ensued for his signature at the top of the Championship, but with Sunderland also interested, Sheffield United beat off the competition to sign him for around £10m on a four-year deal.

The 22-year-old frontman has seemingly struggled to settle into his new surroundings as yet, and his chance to make a mark on Chris Wilder's side has probably been hampered by Campbell being in such good form when he is fit.

Cannon has featured eight times for the Blades so far, but is still yet to find the back of the net in his new red and white stripes, and has provided just one assist up to now.

He was handed starting berths in all four of his first games at the club, but has since had to settle for minutes off the bench, and has missed out on two matchday squads due to minor injuries.

Boss Wilder has insisted that there is "more to come" from his marquee winter capture, but right now it feels like an uphill battle for him to break back into the starting eleven and find his shooting boots at Bramall Lane.

Even when he has come on from the bench, he has made little difference to the team, and United need everyone firing on all cylinders from now until May if they are to clinch automatic promotion.

With that said, a potential situation could arise in the summer where Cannon is deemed surplus to requirements in S2 if they are preparing for the Premier League. It's really not worked out for him so far, and could turn out to be money poorly spent by the club.

Luckily for United, they have been able to rely on Campbell to find the net in key games over recent weeks. His impressive exploits are easing the worry that Cannon could turn out to be a flop, and he is set to continue to be an important part of their team in the months to come.