BLADES boss Neil Warnock is looking to put the boot into 'blades' which are crippling his players, writes Derek Davis.The outspoken Sheffield United boss wants his stars to stop using the controversial footwear after midfielder Michael Tonge was the latest to end up injured while wearing the boots instead of studded soles.

BLADES boss Neil Warnock is looking to put the boot into 'blades' which are crippling his players, writes Derek Davis.

The outspoken Sheffield United boss wants his stars to stop using the controversial footwear after midfielder Michael Tonge was the latest to end up injured while wearing the boots instead of studded soles.

Tonge misses the Ipswich game, although United will welcome back Alan Quinn in midfield after suspension.

Warnock said: “I'm not a fan of these blades at all. We have tried to steer the lads away from them but they don't seem to listen and carry on doing their own thing.

“It would be difficult to ban them but I'd certainly prefer it if they didn't use them, the trouble is they all have their own deals and things like that.

“Unlike aluminum studs, blades don't have any give in them, if a player loses his balance they just stick in the ground.

“I don't think it's any coincidence that since everyone has started using them we've seen a rise in this sort of thing (ankle injuries).”

Warnock has been putting his foot in it recently as well.

He will sit in the directors' box at Portman Road tonight after being 'sent off' against Watford and is in further hot water after 'adopting an abusive attitude' which is FA speak for having a go at referee Mark Clattenburg during the defeat against Ray Lewington's side.

It could have all been so different for Warnock if he had taken the Chelsea job offered to him by Ken Bates.

He turned it down as he hated the traffic jams on the M25 and didn't think he would be there long enough to see Bates' Chelsea Village ever come to fruition.

Instead Warnock went to Notts County and was sacked after a year.