Rochdale v Sheffield United: James Hanson eyes double promotion celebrations

The striker is not only chasing the title with Sheffield United, but is also hoping former club Bradford City, whom he helped into the play-off zone before leaving in January, can also go up.

If Bolton Wanderers – managed by his former Bantams chief Phil Parkinson – were to clinch that second promotion spot, then it would be the perfect end-of-season scenario for Hanson .

“Obviously, we want to go up,” he said. “It would be nice to see Bradford do it, too. It would also be nice for the staff at Bolton who I’ve worked with before, but the main thing is making sure we do it here.”

Hanson netted four times for fifth-placed Bradford before joining the Blades for whom he scored on debut against Wimbledon.

The big striker has struck an instant partnership with the prolific Billy Sharp and Hanson revealed there are similarities between the two Yorkshire clubs .

He said: “The lads have taken to me really kindly. When you go somewhere new, they always say you need to meet good lads and no bad eggs. I can honestly say there are none here.

“At Bradford, I was at dressing rooms in the past where there were a few divides, but not for the last few years and that’s why they’ve had the success they have. There are similarities here, yes.”

After top-of-the-table games against Scunthorpe United and Bolton – which saw United collect four points in front of two 27,000-plus crowds – today sees them face a tricky trip to Rochdale .

Leaders Blades have a seven-point gap to second-placed Scunthorpe and Hanson believes there is enough experience inside the dressing room to finish the job off and secure promotion.

“If we perform well over the next 12 games then, hopefully, we should be okay,” said the 29-year-old former Guiseley striker .

“Obviously, sometimes, you get carried away and look at fixtures ahead, who is playing who. But if we keep on picking up our own points, we shouldn’t have to worry about anyone else.”