The club's dark history of cashing in on their best players to the detriment of the team is a long-standing grumble from supporters who have seen promotion chances sacrificed in the past.

But manager Warnock insists that selling Bent, who cost just £300,000 from Port Vale barely a year ago, was smart business for a striker who had scored only once in 18 games before last Saturday.

Sheffield also landed Warnock target James Thomas on loan from Rovers for the rest of the season, and Warnock said: 'I really don't see why we should be taking flak over this deal.

'I've just been to a supporters' meeting and 75 per cent of the fans there agreed it was the right thing to do. Of course, the other 25 per cent are often the loudest.

'But this isn't another case of selling a Brian Deane or a Jan Fjortoft at a sensitive time, and we've made the money that means the board won't have to think about selling anybody else for a year.'

Warnock put a £3m tag on 22-year-old Bent, last season's 16-goal top scorer, when Crystal Palace chased their former striker, but his form this season has left something to be desired.

Partner Laurent D'Jaffo gave him a roasting during the 1-1 midweek draw with Fulham, and the end of Patrick Suffo's long-term ban hanging over from French football freed Warnock to accept Graeme Souness's improved bid.

New arrival Thomas, who is set to start on the bench against Bolton today, believes it is unlikely he will link up permanently with United.

The highly-rated Wales Under 21 international believes Souness wants him back. 'Before I left Blackburn, Graeme Souness made me aware that he wants to keep me at the club,' said Thomas.

'I am here on loan until the end of the season, but he also told me that it was not a case of putting me in the shop window.

'I have come to Sheffield to gain experience, play first-team football and improve my game.

'It's been difficult for me at Blackburn because there are so many strikers to choose from. It's a question of having to wait for injuries.'

Sheffield Wednesday defender Ashley Westwood is struggling to shake off a hamstring injury in time to face his old club Crewe at Gresty Road today. He undergoes a fitness test today.

'Obviously I would love to go back and play against my old club but I have to look at the bigger picture,' he said.

'It was a frustrating year for me last season as I sat out a lot of games at Bradford and I don't want that to happen again.

'So it seems pointless rushing back for one game and ruling myself out for a big chunk of this season.'

Wednesday boss Paul Jewell will speak to Manchester City manager Joe Royle about extending Terry Cooke's loan spell at Hillsborough.

The former Manchester United winger's initial two-month loan ends after the Crewe game and Jewell is keen to sign the 24-year-old permanently.