Blackwell feels ex-Blade Walker will take elevation in his stride

Walker, 20, is set to make his England debut in tonight’s friendly against Denmark just over two years after bursting onto the scene with Sheffield United.

Blackwell, who is still seeking a return to management after losing his job with the Blades at the start of the season, had no option but to sell Walker to Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.

The former Blades and Leeds United manager has kept a close eye on the player’s progress and says a real opportunity is there for Walker to become England’s first choice right-back.

“He may still be learning his trade but, if he keeps moving in this direction, who is to say Kyle won’t be England’s right-back for years to come?” said Blackwell. “Before he moved to Tottenham, I was telling (Spurs manager) Harry Redknapp that he was a special boy. He has got all the attributes and won’t get carried away with his own success.”

Walker played just seven times for the Blades prior to his £3m move to Spurs – which followed his club’s Championship play-off final defeat against Burnley at Wembley – but returned on loan and made a further 28 appearances before going back to White Hart Lane.

The Blades had been under pressure to raise cash after missing out on a return to the Premier League and the subsequent loss of parachute payments. Defender Kyle Naughton was also sold to Spurs bringing the total income to around £10m but there are no bonuses due to the Blades for international appearances.

Blackwell sent Walker out on loan to Northampton Town at the start of the 2008-09 season and the youngster made nine appearances for the League One club before being handed his first Blades start in an FA Cup third round victory at Leyton Orient.

He was dropped after a fourth round defeat at Hull City but was then called upon again when the Blades lost Scottish international Gary Naysmith with injury for the final weeks of the season.

He is currently on loan with Aston Villa after spending the first half of the season on loan at Queens Park Rangers.

Blackwell said: “Kyle is a grounded lad and if he keeps his feet on the floor will go a long way.

“He was willing to play anywhere for Sheffield United and I put him in at right-back although he was played at centre-back by Queens Park Rangers.”