Tonge yearns for Premiership move

SEVERAL Premiership clubs are monitoring the progress of Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge and the teenager has confessed that he has his eye on a move to the English top-flight.

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn have been linked with a £3 million move for the 19-year-old and Blades coach Neil Warnock faces a real battle to hang onto the goal-scoring midfielder.

"I want to play in The Premiership. It is the only place to be if you have ambitions to be the best," said Tonge. 

Warnock indicated that the club would have to cash-in if a 'realistic' offer came in, declaring: "We don't want to sell Michael because he is a fantastic talent but any offer would have to be realistic."  

Tonge, who was shunned by Manchester United as a youngster, has netted five times for The Blades this season and has been placed on standby for the England Under-20 squad this weekend.

The transfer window re-opens in January and a Premiership tug-of-war is likely to follow soon after for the services of the gifted teenager.

Meanwhile, defender Colin Cryan has joined Conference side Scarborough on a month's loan as the young Irishman is hoping to get more first team football.

Cryan told the Sheffield United official website: "I need to play first team football and hopefully this will give me the opportunity to be more involved."