CHRIS Casper has once again plundered Premiership-chasing Sheffield United's youth system to boost his squad's ranks.

The Bury boss admits to being a big fan of the Blades' academy set up, and had already secured the services of Jake Speight and Colin Marrison on loan.

This week, he moved to bring in two more young Blades, with England Under-20 international midfielder Kyle Nix and full-back Evan Horwood joining the Gigg Lane ranks on trial.

"Sheffield United have two youth teams and work it very well," said Casper.

"So instead of playing only youth football, they are playing good competitive games against senior players and it shows.

"Lads from that club seem have an excellent work ethic and that can be seen by the way Jake and Colin played for us at the weekend."

And the manager believes that Speight's two goal blast against Torquay, his first in league football, will do him a world of good.

"He's been working so hard since he arrived, he has to be dragged off the training ground and, I know, he was desperate to score," said Casper.

"Now he can relax and hopefully keep banging in the goals for us."

Only full-back Tom Kennedy (hamstring) and goalkeeper Neil Edwards (shoulder) are out of the reckoning for the weekend journey to Lincolnshire.

Midfielder Dwayne Mattis is back in the frame after his one match suspension.

In the home game against the Pilgrims in September Mattis was on target in a 1-1 draw which proved to be Barrow's last match in charge.

Casper was well pleased with the performance of his side against Torquay following two dire displays at Peterborough and Carlisle - and he will be hoping for more of the same at York Street.

"Saturday's win has given everyone a lift," he said.

"The lads worked so hard in training last week that you hoped that everything would come together.

"When we went behind they showed great character and should be proud of themselves because it was a really tough game."

There were two more, albeit temporary, departures on Thursday when second string goalkeeper Craig Dootson and young central defender Russell Hitchen both joined Conference North outfit Hinckley United.

Dootson is on a month's loan with a 24-hour recall clause while Hitchen goes to the Leicestershire club on a work experience basis.