This weekend's visitors to the Lane have earned every ounce of respect, says the man who will be doing his utmost to keep the Blades in the promotion hunt.

Hull City is on the verge of earning an historic promotion and Kevin Blackwell reckons that he and his opposite number, Phil Brown, is both full of anticipation:

"I think Phil and I are both really looking forward to it. He has done a fantastic job as his team would not have been amongst the promotion favourites a few months ago.

"But the season is a marathon, not a sprint, and they have battled through all conditions to get to this stage, a position they therefore must hold on merit."

Despite only having three games left the promotion issues remain unsolved and the united boss appreciates that this has sustained plenty of interest:

"I think that only QPR can truly say that they have nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation - everyone else is in with a chance at one end or the other.

"Some people have questioned the quality of football on offer in the Championship this season but it has certainly led to an exciting conclusion.