Hull City v Sheffield United: Positive outlook seems to release Blades' shackles

The 41-year-old Sheffield United boss is just nine games into his first managerial job and is learning quickly the art of man-management in the cut and thrust of the second tier.

He hailed the snatching of a late draw against Burnley on Saturday as a potential 'turning point' in his side's fortunes and cited the performance of winger Mark Yeates as an example of how a few positive words can transform a player.

Yeates, 25, made one equaliser and scored the final leveller in a thrilling 3-3 draw and Speed, who is relishing the challenge of juggling one-to-one relationships with keeping everyone happy in the team environment, said: "Mark's playing with no fear now and that's what I wanted him to do.

"I don't care if he makes mistakes in the opposition third trying to do something good, because more often than not he'll produce a good cross or a goal or a good pass like he did on Saturday.

"Mark's a good player – he's got to believe in himself a bit more."

Until last Saturday, goals had been hard to come by for the Blades this season and to combat the nervousness, the former Wales international is trying to instil a fearless streak into his attack-minded players.

"If you're going out on the pitch thinking about making mistakes you will make mistakes," he said. "Same as a penalty taker, if he's thinking 'don't miss, don't miss', he'll miss.

"If you're saying 'score, score, score', he'll score. That's the way it is. If you think about making mistakes you will. If you think about scoring or making good passes then you will because it's positive thinking.

"Yeatesy beats himself up because he wants to do well really badly and that mindset can sometimes get a grip of you, but I've told him to go out and enjoy it."

United's cause for the trip to the KC Stadium is aided by the return from a three-game ban of Jamie Ward and there could also be a place in the squad for Nick Montgomery, the combative midfielder who saw a specialist yesterday to assess the extent of the tendonitis in his Achilles, which ruled him out of last Saturday's draw with Burnley.

If the results are all-clear Montgomery could feature tonight but Speed cautioned: "I need him to be fit and if he's playing at 75 per cent it's no good for Monty and no good for the team.

"If he's not all right he might need a little injection and that would be 10 days before he's back. Monty's the type to go out and play with a broken leg but that's no good for anyone."

Speed welcomed the return of pacey frontman Ward but says he will not make 'changes for changes' sake' this evening.

United may need all the firepower they can muster with the Tigers having kept clean sheets in all five of their league matches at the KC this season.

Matt Duke has kept goal 11 times this season but his place came under threat yesterday when Nigel Pearson signed

Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone on loan.

The Italy Under-21 shot-stopper joins until January 3 and Pearson said: "Vito is a very, very good young goalkeeper who has found his opportunities limited at Arsenal.

"I like to have competition, in all positions if possible, and Vito has some Premier League and Champions League experience.

"There'll be some good competition there and it's a healthy position to be in."

Jimmy Bullard remains sidelined with a knee problem, although Paul McShane is expected to feature after x-rays on the ankle injury sustained in last Saturday's draw at Leicester City came back all clear.

"Paul is probably going to be available so it's good news on that front," said Pearson.

Hull were again linked yesterday to a takeover bid by multi-millionaire local businessman Assem Allam. The Egyptian-born entrepreneur launched a bid last month that failed to progress from initial talks.

It is understood Allam, 70, whose diesel generator manufacturing company is based in Melton, is to meet chairman Russell Bartlett later this week to discuss a takeover package that would wipe the club's 22m debt and provide manager Pearson with a substantial transfer kitty.

Last six games: Hull WDWLDD; Sheff Utd LWLDLD.

Last time: Hull 1 Blades 1; Championship; October 27, 2007.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).