Coppinger is keen for O'Driscoll to stay put at Doncaster Rovers

The Blades have been given permission to speak to O'Driscoll as part of their search for a replacement for Gary Speed.

Current caretaker-manager John Carver is also in the frame along with former Hull City manager Phil Brown and ex-Barnsley boss Paul Hart – however, the Blades have ruled out any appointment before the end of the month.

Coppinger, the longest serving player on the books at Rovers, said: "I am never surprised when the manager is linked with other jobs. He has done a fantastic job for Doncaster so why wouldn't anyone else be interested?

"He has been here a number of years now and you never know what is around the corner.

"The manager looks at the bigger picture, it is the same with players. If an opportunity arises, for whatever reason, a job for you, or a team you want to play for, if everything is right, why not do it? I suppose that has crossed the manager's mind. Only time will tell."

Rovers chairman John Ryan is happy to let O'Driscoll talk to any club, including Sheffield United, but is likely to seek around 500,000 in compensation.

Coppinger is full of admiration for O'Driscoll who, since his arrival from Bournemouth four years ago, has led Rovers to promotion from League One, success in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, and secured a third consecutive season in the Championship.

Rovers currently sit four points adrift of the Championship play-off zone in 11th spot but, significantly, have a game in hand on the majority of other clubs including ninth-placed Derby County, who they visit on Boxing Day.

"I want him to stay," Coppinger stressed. "He was going to Burnley last season and that was disappointing from the players' perspective. His record speaks for itself.

"For us to stay in the Championship three seasons gives him a lot of confidence. We have done well every season and I think he has improved as a manager along the way. He is very different to any other manager I have worked with.

"He comes across really well, he is good at his job, and he is very meticulous about what he does. Not a lot of managers are like that."

After suffering back-to-back away defeats, Rovers returned to winning ways against Middlesbrough last Friday night.

Coppinger said: "We had done a lot of talking and had a lot of meetings (before the game) but we re-focused and we went through all the things that we should be doing as players. We reacted really well and I thought the lads stuck together. We showed great determination, great organisation and rode our luck on a number of occasions."

Looking ahead to the Derby game, Coppinger said: "We have come on in leaps and bounds but we are not getting carried away. It will be tough because they are as good now as they have been since they were relegated (two years ago). But our ambition has changed and our expectation levels are creeping up. Our fans want to see us at the top end (of the table) rather than the bottom end now."