Chris Wilder decided to take a punt on signing 32-year-old Martin Cranie on a short-term contract during the summer transfer window, and while he hasn't been seen yet he could be set to become Sheffield United's most important summer addition in the coming weeks.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Yorkshire outfit signed the versatile defender, who can play at full-back or as a centre-back, on August 31 on a contract until the end of January following his release by Premier League side Huddersfield Town back at the beginning of the summer.

However, injury and a lack of fitness mean that he has been taking part in his own training plan over the course of the past few weeks, and he didn't make his first appearance in the match-day squad until the 2-1 defeat against Derby County at the iPro Stadium last weekend.

The former Southampton man, who is now featuring for the 11th club of his career, was also an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night.

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Why could he be their most important signing?

While Sheffield United have had a generally settled backline so far this season, they are in danger to losing a number of players because of suspension in the coming weeks and they don't have a plethora of defensive depth.

Chris Basham is just one booking away from getting a ban, while Kieron Freeman, Enda Stevens and Jack O'Connell are just two away with the Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday just a couple of weeks away.

Cranie is able to cover to either of the wing-back and the centre-back positions, so if the Blades are missing any of their key men over the course of the next few fixtures then the 32-year-old could step in.

If he plays well and does a decent job in their absence, he could prove to be Wilder's most important summer signing.