United were boosted on the final day of the January transfer window when they completed the loan signing of Sheffield United's Kevan Hurst for the rest of the season.

Kevan Hurst was born on August 27th, 1985 in Chesterfield and one of his key facets is his versatility - he can play all across the midfield or forward line. His first senior appearance for Sheffield United was in the League Cup against QPR on September 23rd, 2003 with his only league appearance for the Blades coming on September 25th, 2004 as a 90th minute substitute for Tommy Black against Coventry City.

It is on loan at a trio of lower league clubs where Hurst made his name and is being talked of as being one of the most talented wingers in the division.

Kevan's first loan move was to Boston United at the back end of the 2004/05 season. He made seven appearances for the Pilgrims - making his debut in a 3-1 win at Bury and scoring his only goal for the club in his third game, which was the opener in a 3-2 home success against Yeovil Town.

The following season, he made three appearances in all competitions before signing for League One outfit Stockport County on loan for the final three months of the season - playing alongside his current United midfield collaborator Jim Goodwin.

He scored on his Stockport debut, which was the opener in a 2-1 win at Oldham Athletic and went on to appear 13 more times for a team who eventually suffered relegation from the third tier of English football.

He spent the majority of the next season on loan at hometown team Chesterfield. Playing in League One he impressed and managed to net six goals in all competitions.

His debut came in a 4-1 loss at Oldham, but he scored in the next game which was a 4-2 Carling Cup first round home defeat to Huddersfield Town and went on to hold his place in the team from there onwards - scoring in two successive games in November - against Leyton Orient and Bristol City before his initial half-season loan spell ended on January 1st, 2005.

Towards the end of the month he was back on loan for the rest of the season though and went on to score in his comeback game against Walsall.

He played for the rest of the season, barring the last two games, scoring twice more and was highly sought-after during the summer when Sheffield United made him available for loan again.

For the start of this season he rejoined Chesterfield again for half of the campaign, and managed to score three times - including a goal in his final match which was the home game against Blackpool on January 1st.

He appeared against the Iron on four occasions for Chesterfield, losing three and drawing once.

He made one more appearance for the Blades, in an FA Cup third round home loss to Swansea before United made their move for him on January 31st and, since making his debut for the club in the televised home win over Bristol City, has become a key part of the side.

On his first appearance he showed flashes of what he is capable of, and since then he has been a vital player on the left flank - showing his creativity, and flair, going forward.

Hurst will have a key role to play at Glanford Park as he signs permanently for 2007/08.