Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell says banned goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is "one of the best" after he extended his deal with the club.

Kenny, banned for nine-months after testing positive for ephedrine, penned a new one-year extension on Friday.

And boss Blackwell says although it may take Kenny a while to get back to match fitness he is a great player nevertheless.

"It might take Paddy a while to get back to his best because it remains to be seen what effect so long out of the game will have on him," he told the Sheffield Star.

"But he's shown that he's one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper outside of the top-flight and can more than hold his own with most of the 'keepers in the Premier League."