Michael Mifsud’s hopes of playing in the English Premiership received a setback this weekend when Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock announced that he will be trying to avoid signing any foreign players in the current transfer window.

Mifsud had been heavily linked with Sheffield United in the past few weeks and sources close to the player said Mifsud had rejected United’s original offer, though the gap between the two sides was described as small.

Sheffield United were also being linked with Egypt international Ahmed Fathi, but Warnock would prefer to buy British at present.

Warnock feels British players will be better equipped to help the club avoid relegation.

“I don’t feel this is the time to spoil things with too many foreign imports,” said Warnock.

“We don’t get the best ones, while others do because they are bigger clubs. It also takes time to bed foreign players in, so perhaps our best chance is to stick mainly to British lads.”