The wing wizards spent time at Bramall Lane this week with Cotton playing 70 minutes for the Blades’ reserve side on Tuesday.

Their displays for the Daniels this season have caught the eye of watching scouts and Stamford boss Dougie Keast was delighted that their exploits had been recognised.

He said: “It’s something to be really pleased about.

“It’s still very early days, but it’s great recognition for both players and the club.”

The players have both signed contracts at the Vic Couzens Stadium this season which would mean the Daniels would be entitled to any transfer fee.

Keast added: “It is not our intention to bring players in and then sell them off, but we want them to do really well and, when chances like this come along, you have to take them.

“We have got nearly half of the squad on contract now and it’s fantastic that the club have done something like that because it’s a really big step.”

Cotton and Kirk will both return to the Stamford squad this weekend for the home clash against Sheffield FC at the Vic Couzens Stadium.

The world’s oldest club ran out 3-1 winners in the UniBond Division One South meeting between the two clubs earlier in the season when the Daniels missed a host of chances.

However, Stamford are currently in an excellent vein of form and Saturday’s success over Leek Town kept them within touch of the division’s leading lights.

Keast added: “I still come out in cold sweats when I think about our last game with Sheffield.

“I can think of eight clear-cut chances off the top of my head, but in recent games we have been starting to take the chances we have created.”

Ross Watson still remains doubtful for Saturday’s match, but left-back Dom Hallows is fit again after recovering from a hamstring injury.