Bristol City v Sheffield United: Young defender has the world at his feet

Both men are on loan with the Blades until the end of season and, with captain Chris Morgan sidelined following knee surgery, are now partners at the heart of defence.

Speaking ahead of today's trip to Bristol City, 30-year-old Nosworthy paid tribute to his sidekick who is still only 19 and very much in the process of learning his trade.

"If the 'Bartman' fulfills his potential, the world really is his oyster," said Nosworthy, on loan from Sunderland. "He is still a teenager but is already playing at a very good level.

"If he keeps his head down and keeps on working hard, he will find it very easy to make the next step up, hopefully he can do it with Arsenal.

"He makes the game look easy because he is such a good player," Nosworthy added. "He is a relaxed lad, a really laid back character, but he really works hard when he has to."

Defender Danny Batth, 20, joined the Blades from Premier League Wolves before Thursday's emergency loan deadline but has been signed primarily to provide cover in reserve.

The Blades are seeking to record a hat-trick of victories for the first team this season today at Ashton Gate and Nosworthy admits that the recent improvement in results has boosted confidence.

"It is nice to be a on a little run now and we have deserved our results of late," he said. "Persistence has paid off and it has restored confidence in the camp. We are finally getting a bit of luck too.

"We know it will be a hard game against Bristol but we feel a bit more relaxed away from home and just need to approach it in the same way as we have been doing. A team only needs to get a couple of good results back-to-back and things change quickly."

With City three places below the Blades, today's game has added spice. Victory could propel United into the top half of the table while defeat would see Bristol overtake them.

Former Blades striker Jon Stead, who joined Bristol in the summer, could miss today's reunion due to ankle trouble. His manager Keith Millen was quiet in the transfer market this week but plans to sign a left-back and a creative midfielder in the New Year.