Blackwell has been Sheffield United's manager since February

Manager Kevin Blackwell has said Sheffield United should start to see the vast benefits of their investment in youth within the next few years.

The club have spent money on developing their academy and setting up feeder clubs across the world, in areas such as Hungary, China and Australia.

"The infrastructure is in place and the coaching is excellent," Blackwell told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"Our way is being laid down in other countries. That can only be good."

The Blades' focus on youth has already started to pay off with the performances of Kyle Naughton this season.

The 19-year-old defender has been with the club since the age of eight and has broken into the the first team this season.

We have a fantastic facility, the vision is there, as is the scouting and excellent coaching Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell

"Due to the way the game is going you you keep spending fortunes on players there is only one way we will go and that's broke.

"So we are not prepared to do that, we are prepared to invest in our academy.

"We have a fantastic facility, the vision is there, as is the scouting and excellent coaching.

"To have that replicated in certain other countries will hopefully give us a great benefit in the future."

Meanwhile Bramall Lane will stage a international match in November.

England Under-21s will face their counterparts from the Czech Republic on Tuesday, 18 November.