'Absent asterisk boosts Blades' promotion ambitions'

Sheffield United have more wins and more points than anyone else in the Championship with 10 games left to play, but they remain second behind Yorkshire rivals Leeds United on goal difference.

Blades fans don't need reminding that this season started on minus two points for defaulting on payments to other clubs in their last promotion campaign two years ago, and neither does manager Chris Wilder.

"Absolutely does my nut in when there's no stars next to anything because this team has got 78 points," Wilder uttered after beating a stubborn Preston North End side 1-0 at home last Saturday.

The United boss regularly ignores the asterisk when talking about the Championship table, but you do wonder how significant those points could become at the end of the season with just two points (in the official table) currently separating the Blades, Leeds and Burnley.

The club's points deduction is just one of several factors providing extra motivation in Sheffield United's bid for an immediate return to the Premier League, and that 'against the odds' spirit has served Chris Wilder well throughout his two spells at Bramall Lane.

The Blades though will go into their final two games before the international break as favourites, not underdogs.

The Steel City Derby against Sheffield Wednesday looms large at the weekend but only after a midweek test against play-off-chasing Bristol City.

Wins 25 and 26 this campaign could offer both bragging rights and breathing space from their adjusted points tally, if results elsewhere go in their favour.