Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is in no rush to bring new players to Bramall Lane.

The Blades narrowly missed out on making the play-offs this season, but Blackwell has confidence in his squad.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield they are a "threat in this division", meaning he can wait "until August or September" to enter the transfer market.

"When it's the right time I'll do it and that means when the players are available," he said.

Blackwell also revealed that there will not be a pre-season friendly at Bramall Lane this summer due to the state of the pitch.

"There is a considerable amount of work to be done on the pitch between now and the start of the season, we need to get the pitch settled," he said.

The first team will play three away friendlies starting at Scunthorpe on Saturday 26 July, Bury on 29 July and Huddersfield on 2 August.

Blades make China pledge

Meanwhile, the club have offered their support to the Chinese government following the earthquake that hit the south-western Sichuan province.

Sheffield United have been in touch with officials at their sister club in the province, the Chengdu Blades, and have been assured that all personnel are safe.

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe pledged the club's support for the region in a statement on the Blades' official website.

"Sheffield United would like to express deep sadness and sympathy to the thousands of people affected by the major earthquake in the Sichuan province of China," he said.

"We will continue to liaise closely with the club and colleagues in Chengdu where we have built up a lot of links with the local community and have contacted the government to offer our assistance in any way we can."