Motherwell defender Shaun Hutchinson is hoping that the Fir Park club pull out all the stops to try to keep Stuart McCall as club manager.

McCall has cut short a break in Spain to enter into discussions with Sheffield United, a club where he spent five years of his playing and coaching career.

The Blades have made McCall their No.1 target, and although Motherwell are keen to persuade him to stay, chief executive Leeann Dempster has insisted no-one will stand in McCall's way should he be tempted elsewhere.

Hutchinson has enjoyed arguably the best season of his career this year and would love to see the Fir Park boss remain at the club.

"It is one of those things that if you are successful then of course people are going to take notice," he said.

"But, from a selfish point of view, we would love to see him stay here at Motherwell because I think his record speaks for itself.

"We have just had a fantastic season, we have the chance to play European football again this summer – and when I first arrived here at the club I don't think I would ever really have imagined that. It speaks volumes for how well he has done that we have that to look forward to.

"But as players we know how football works. It is the same for all of us, and we just have to wait and see what happens."

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson and former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate have also been linked with the Blades job, but McCall appears to be attracting the most attention from the Yorkshire club.

Hutchinson is one of the few players who are settled at Fir Park this season, with a string of his colleagues all set to leave.

Nicky Law and Darren Randolph have played their final games for Motherwell, while James McFadden, Tom Hateley and Chris Humphrey are all out of contract and expected to go elsewhere.

Hutchinson still has a year remaining on his current deal and the Newcastle-born defender is happy to see it out.

"I have managed to play over 100 games now for Motherwell, which has been great," he said.

"I feel as though I have improved as a player and I just want to keep that going."