Nightmare almost over as Naysmith targets play-offs

SCOTTISH international Gary Naysmith aims to erase the memory of a 10-month injury nightmare by helping Sheffield United win promotion.

The former Everton defender has not played for the Blades since snapping cruciate knee ligaments against Burnley at the end of last season.

His absence for the play-off final was a major blow for the club who subsequently lost to Burnley and missed out on a return to the Premier League.

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Manager Kevin Blackwell has struggled to fill the gap vacated by Naysmith this season but has still kept the Blades in promotion contention.

Victory tomorrow at Crystal Palace would lift the club back into the play-off zone if sixth-placed Cardiff City slip up against Middlesbrough.

"Hopefully, we are going to be involved in the play-offs again and the season will be extended," said Naysmith. "That would be great news for me personally because it will give me extra games.

"Last season was probably the best I have played in four or five years and it was just unfortunate that I got injured and missed the play-offs," he reflected. "I think as a player I could have added something and it would have been a different situation."

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Out of contract this summer, Naysmith wants to stay at Bramall Lane and has not ruled out the possibility of accepting a drop in wages.

"I am only 31 and I would like to think I have got two or three years left at a good level – but I need to show Sheffield United that my knee is good because I want to be offered a new contract.

"When they know what league we are playing in next season, they will know the budgets and then they can come to the players," he added. "But if it doesn't happen here, I have to show other parties that I am back.

"It is frustrating that everyone thinks I am still out with my cruciate knee ligament when I am not," he stressed.

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"I have got a problem with the fat pad in my knee but surgeons say the cruciate is fine. I start jogging again next week and I will be back playing again at the end of March or the start of April."

With 46 caps for his country, Naysmith is desperate to reach the milestone of 50 before calling time on his international career.

During his enforced injury absence, the Scottish Football Association have axed George Burley and installed Naysmith's former club-mate Craig Levein as manager.

Levein's assistant Peter Houston has been in touch with Naysmith during recent months and is fully aware of his situation.

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"I have not spoken to the new manager yet but if I get back to playing at the level I was last season I think I will have a Scotland future," insisted Naysmith. "I have been involved with Scotland for 10 years and I want 50 caps.

"If I don't, and the manager decides he wants to go with younger players, that's his decision and I will respect that.

"But I am not going to say I won't play for Scotland again."

Naysmith is one of only three injury absentees for the Blades ahead of tomorrow's trip to Selhurst Park – a situation that is a massive improvement on the majority of the campaign.

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Striker Darius Henderson and goalkeeper Paddy Kenny are both suspended but Blackwell feels the increased options give the Blades a fighting chance of achieving their promotion target.

"We are getting to the business end of the season and we have worked our socks off to get in the position we are," said Blackwell. "The challenge is there for us and we have to try and take it."

Blackwell has dismissed reports linking York City striker Richard Brodie and Macclesfield's John Rooney – brother of England striker Wayne – with the Blades.

He has also played down talk of midfielder Stephen Quinn moving to Swansea City saying the club cannot afford to let players go out on loan when pushing for promotion.

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Chief executive Trevor Birch, meanwhile, has defended the club's decision to increase season ticket prices next season.

"There is a small increase in prices, the first rise for supporters in three seasons," he said. "But we still provide over 50 per cent of our season tickets at concessionary prices.

"We continue to offer some of the most competitive prices to watch football in the Championship – even though we no longer have the benefits of parachute payments to offset some of the costs."

Existing supporters have until April 17 to renew – three games from the end of the season – in order to take advantage of the best prices.

Adult renewals on the Frasers Property Kop have risen by 20 to 299 while seat prices in the VisitMalta Stand, GAC Stand and Fortina Spa Corner Stand have gone up by 30 to 409.