Awkward time for Slew as he returns to blunt Blades

But Blades midfielder Lee Williamson insists the teenager is unlikely to have divided loyalties in a game that could make or break the Blades promotion dream.

Sheffield-born Slew, a lifelong Blades supporter, was snapped up by Premier League Rovers in August after making just eight starts for his hometown club.

He had made only two substitute appearances for Rovers before joining tomorrow’s opponents Stevenage on loan three months ago.

With the battle for automatic promotion with Sheffield Wednesday at boiling point, Blades supporters will be hoping that Slew does not return to throw cold water into the pan.

For if Wednesday lose at Brentford, the Blades – who kick off at the later time of 5.20pm – will need only a victory over Stevenage to secure a return to the Championship.

Williamson said: “It will be awkward for Jordan but it’s a game of football and, regardless of what club you play for, you want to do well.

“Coming back on Saturday, I know for a fact he will be looking forward to it and up for it. There will be no divided loyalties.

“He’s not coming back to prove a point, he will be concentrating on his game and doing as well as he can for Stevenage because that’s his club now.

Slew has started six games without scoring for play-off chasing Stevenage and has struggled to get back in the side after serving a three game ban for violent conduct.

Willamson believes Slew still has a future in the Premier League but warned that the 19-year-old also needs to keep his feet on the ground.

“I don’t know if things have gone exactly to plan so far but he deserved the move,” said Williamson. “It’s a just a matter of time before he breaks through at Blackburn – whether through his gaffer giving him a chance or someone getting injured.

“He will get his chance and, when he does, he has got to take it. Chances don’t always come about. It is about being in the right place at the right time and having a manager who believes in you. He’s young, he’s got a good career ahead of him. I just hope he keeps his feet on the ground and stays focused.”

Williamson, 29, has scored 12 times for the Blades this season and his goals could be even more important now in the absence of jailed striker Ched Evans. Out of contract this summer, the former Rotherham United and Watford midfielder is hoping that his performances have done enough to land a new deal.

However, he also admitted that he was still in the dark about his future at Bramall Lane.

“Contract-wise, it’s not in my hands really,” he said. “All I can do is concentrate on my football and keep my head down.

“When your contract is running out, it can be a frightening time because a lot of players do drop out of the game. It’s not easy. There are a lot of youngsters coming through and a lot of senior pros dropping out of the league which I don’t want.

“I am getting older and I need to secure my future. At the minute, we have not spoken about it at all. I’m just concentrating and hoping we get promotion and we can take it from there. If you get your future sorted out, it makes life easier. I am sure I will get something sorted in the summer with Sheffield.”

Assessing his form this season, Williamson said: “It’s been my best ever season for goals. I always wanted to add goals to my game down the years and this season I have been able to do that. Hopefully, I can add a couple more before the season ends.

“As a whole, the team is a lot more confident this season which helps. Obviously last season didn’t go to plan and it wasn’t the best of seasons. But, with injuries, I have never had a proper run in the team until now. That is one of the main reasons why I have scored the goals.”

With a one point lead over third placed Wednesday, the Blades will be promoted, regardless of any other results, if they beat Stevenage and Exeter City in their remaining two games.

“The main thing is the ball is in our court,” said Williamson. “And whether they win, lose, or draw (against Brentford), we still have to go out there for three points.”

The Blades are predicting a bumper gate in excess of 30,000 for the game which, if Wednesday lose, could turn into a promotion party.

“We have a massive following and the gate on Saturday will prove what a big club we can be. I just hope we can back it up with three points,” he said. “There is no tension. We all believe in ourselves. The last two games don’t change anything we have been doing, how we are going to play, or our mentalities. There are no nerves.

“The quicker you get relegation out of youur head the better. A lot of teams struggle to bounce straight back but with the belief, and the fact we have kept quality players, it is a lot easier. But we are not over the finish line yet.”