Blackwell, whose side travel to Huddersfield tonight in the second round of the Carling Cup, was famously involved in a bust-up with Ternent at Bramall Lane seven years ago.

However, Blackwell was subsequently offered a coaching role by Ternent at Burnley and also agreed to act as a character witness when the 62-year-old appeared in a court case last summer.

Blackwell questioned Ternent's version of events, as published in his autobiography, but has openly admitted that the pair squared up and were involved in a bit pf 'pushing and shoving'. Tonight the pair will pit their wits – rather than their fists – against each other in a bid to progress to the next round.

Blackwell said: "Our spat many years ago has been well documented but Stan and I are now very good friends and I am proud to say that I was there for him when he needed me in a court case.

"He thought I was listening in to his half-time team talk when I was actually on my way to the referee's room. We made up straight after the game and then he offered me a job," Blackwell added. "We have a laugh about what happened now – Stan is a guy who will always stand his ground and he knows I will too – but we have the utmost respect for each other."

In addition to the reunion with Ternent, Blackwell is also looking forward to going back to the Galpharm Stadium after spending two years with the Terriers in the early Nineties. It will be his first competitive return as Blades manager although the side did lose a pre-season friendly there in the summer.

With the Blades now on a roll in the Championship, Blackwell is set to make several changes but insists that the side he picks would still be good enough to start in a league game.

Among the fringe players likely to start are Huddersfield-born striker Jon Stead, who is still a Town supporter, and who began his career with the club before moving to Blackburn Rovers in a £1.25m deal four years ago.

Town, who have yet to win after the opening three games of the League One season, will be looking to restore lost pride after a disappointing home defeat to MK Dons at the weekend.

Captain Chris Lucketti spent three years with the Blades before returning for a second spell with Town this summer.

He said: "I've nothing but praise for Sheffield United. They helped me realise my ambition of playing in the Premier League, which I will always be grateful for.

"It is good we have a game so quickly as we have to do a lot better than Saturday. Hopefully, we can reproduce the form we showed against Bradford in the last round."

Former Blades defender David Unsworth could also be in the Town line-up.

Last six games: Huddersfield Town WWDWDL, Sheffield United WLLWWW.

Referee: N Miller (Durham).

Last time: Huddersfield Town 2 Sheffield United 1; March 17, 2001; Division One.