Sheffield United v Scunthorpe United: Blades chief Speed wary of an Iron backlash as Adkins departure to Saints leaves the door open for Baraclough

Adkins was allowed to leave Scunthorpe on Sunday night after a compensation deal was struck with his new employers Southampton.

First-team coach Ian Baraclough has been put in caretaker-charge of the Iron and victory tonight over the Blades would boost his chances of landing the job on a permanent basis.

Speed, who took over as manager of the Blades only four games ago, said: "Nigel deserved his chance at a bigger club because he has done a fantastic job at Scunthorpe – but the timing of his departure has not really gone in our favour.

"I think his players will miss him and they will also want to get something out of this game for him."

One-time physio Adkins, 45, spent four years in charge at Glanford Park and twice led the club to promotion from League One before achieving Championship survival last season.

Former Hull City manager Phil Brown is among the other contenders for the Scunthorpe job but former Blades manager Kevin Blackwell will not be throwing his hat into the ring.

The Blades are seeking a third consecutive victory tonight to continue the momentum generated by Speed's appointment.

However, the former Welsh international is still acutely aware of the need to avoid complacency.

He said: "It's great that we have had two results like we have had but there are still areas where we need to improve and I don't want the players to get carried away.

"If you get too over-confident in this division, and take your foot off the pedal, you will soon come a cropper."

Speed made his bravest decision since stepping up from the role of coach last weekend when opting to leave club captain Chris Morgan on the bench for the away win at Derby County.

Morgan missed the previous game against Preston North End with a calf injury and Speed opted to keep faith with loan signings Nyron Nosworthy and Kyle Bartley at the centre of defence.

"It was a massive decision to leave out Chris but he is a 'team player' and those are the type of difficult decisions you have to make as a manager," said Speed. "I know he will be trying as hard as anyone to get back in."

Nosworthy, on loan from Sunderland this season, regards Speed's decision as a 'vote of confidence'.

"The gaffer has shown faith in the team that won the first home game and we have gone out and proven it again," said Nosworthy. "We have to make it hard for him to pick the team every week."

Former Blades defender Kyle Walker, meanwhile, has signed for Neil Warnock at Queens Park Rangers on a one-month loan deal from Tottenham and could go straight into the side tonight against Ipswich.

Defender Kyle Naughton, who was sold to Spurs by the Blades at the same time as Walker two summers ago, is discussing a possible loan move to Portsmouth, who visit Bramall Lane this weekend.

Last six games: Sheffield United DLLLWW, Scunthorpe WLLWWL.

Last time: Sheffield United 0 Scunthorpe 1; March 28, 2010, Championship.

Referee: ND Swarbrick (Lancashire).