Injured Ward could rush back to play his part in crucial derby

Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan recently claimed that his club and Barnsley were now emerging as the top two teams in the region.

But Blackwell, speaking ahead of tomorrow's derby against Barnsley at Bramall Lane, hit back saying: "It is a load of rubbish. I think John Ryan is just trying to sell his book. Is it the first time they have been above us? Well, enjoy it."

After losing to strugglers Scunthorpe United last weekend, Blackwell admitted that the Blades needs to win all six of their remaining games to qualify for this season's promotion play-offs.

He could deliver a firm statement of intent tomorrow by throwing striker Jamie Ward back into the firing line – just three weeks after tearing a hamstring muscle.

Only last week, Blackwell gambled on the fitness of striker Henri Camara and the Senegalese international suffered a recurrence of a groin injury which means he has now played his last game for the club.

Ward, a favourite with the fans, has bagged eight goals so far this season and the absence of his attacking creativity has been a major loss to the Blades.

"My concern is (a repeat) of what happened with Camara last week but we need some strikers," Blackwell said. "He has done no physical football work since he did it against Peterborough. He shouldn't be playing but he is desperate to play."

Although the Blades are seven points adrift of the top six, Blackwell says no one at the club is giving up on play-off qualification.

"You cannot give it up, you have to keep up the chase," he said. "You only have to look at Cardiff last season for the lesson. Until the last day of the season, they were in there but they missed out. We will keep going."

Looking ahead to the Barnsley game, Blackwell said: "There is always pressure on at Sheffield United and if you can't play in a Yorkshire derby, you shouldn't be here. We have got a few players who have never tasted one before so it is a good test. "