Nigel Adkins has allowed a member of his first-team squad to leave Bramall Lane on a temporary basis.



Michael Higdon has joined fellow Sky League One outfit Oldham Athletic on an initial three-month loan deal.



The 32-year-old joined the Blades in the summer of 2014 for an undisclosed fee from NEC Nijmegan and scored five goals in 20 appearances last term, a campaign that was disrupted by a niggling hamstring problem.



His most notable contributions came in the Capital One Cup run, where he scored against Leyton Orient and twice against MK Dons as United progressed all the way to the last four of the competition.



This season, Higdon has made four appearances, the last of which came against Colchester United earlier this month.



The striker could make his Latics debut against Wigan Athletic at Boundary Park on Saturday.​