Free agent could be playing Championship football next season following release from Newcastle United

Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie were the two senior casualties of Newcastle United's contract cull this summer as the veterans were not offered new deals.

The duo should arguably have been let go last summer, but both were handed one-year extensions with both players actually receiving game time during the last campaign.

After Newcastle missed out on European football, the duo were confirmed to be leaving the club after a stay of execution was mooted if the Magpies sneaked into Europe.

Matt Ritchie was linked with a return to where it all started with newly-promoted Championship side Portsmouth but those rumours were almost immediately quashed.

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Sheffield United have made Matt Ritchie an offer

Now it looks as though the 34-year-old might still get a Championship lifeline as Sheffield United have reportedly offered the corner-flag-hating Scotland man a contract.

The Shields Gazette claims that the Blade have made an offer for Ritchie ahead of the new campaign as they look to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking after a nightmare campaign in the top flight.

Ritchie certainly has the experience to lead the charge in the Championship, and as long as he's not asked to do too much running, he can still do a decent job.

It looks like Matt Ritchie is destined for Championship Football

Should he opt to accept the contract on offer then we home Bramall Lane's groundskeepers are investing in some sturdy corner flags just in case.

It's great to see that Ritchie isn't been cast down to League One with Championship sides still keen to give him a shot in the second-tier.

Matt Ritchie will always be a favourite, even if we did roll our eyes every time Eddie Howe brought him on last season.