SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY manager David Pleat has gone Dutch in a bid to drag his side away from the English Premiership dangerzone.

Pleat, whose side stand just four points ahead of third bottom Manchester City after a run of four defeats in five matches, yesterday made Dutch international winger Regi Blinker the latest recruit to England's foreign legion when he paid Feyenoord an undisclosed fee for his services.

Blinker, who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Wednesday, will fill the left flank void vacated by Andy Sinton's recent departure to Tottenham.

And Pleat believes the Dutchman's style will prove an instant hit with the Hillsborough fans, who are becoming increasingly alarmed at the side's slide towards trouble.

Wednesday, who saw an approach to take Blinker on trial turned down last month, have refused to reveal how much they have paid for a player who would have been out of contract with Feyenoord at the end of the season and therefore available for free.