CHRIS Wilder says that sentiment cannot come into it when he takes his Oxford United to his hometown club Sheffield United tomorrow.

The U’s manager started his career with the Blades and went on to captain the club and lead them to a promotion.

But he says that only one thing will be on his mind tomorrow – an Oxford United victory.

“Everybody knows my feelings towards Sheffield United,” he said.

“A lot has been said about my connection and Alan Hodgkinson’s connection, but it’s a day for the players and it’s a great occasion for them to show what they’re about in front of probably 2,000 travelling supporters.

“I am going there on Saturday to try and win a game for Oxford United.”

He added: “I have been in the game from the age of 16 up to now at 44. I missed six months when I did my back, but you are not involved in the game for that long without having a real will to win.

“And there’s only one focus in my mind – and that is trying to win the game for my football club.

“I have too much respect for the chairman, the supporters, the players – everyone connected with Oxford United to let anything else get in the way of what we want to do.

“Yes, I obviously have also got the utmost respect for the team where I was a ball boy, youth player, reserve player, player, captain etc, but my only focus is Oxford United.

“We want to progress both in the competition and as a whole – everybody wants to play against good players like Sheffield have got week in week out.”

However, following Sheff-ield United’s defeat at home to Bradford on Tuesday night, Wilder believes that the match is now an even harder one.

“I don’t think them losing in midweek is a good thing for us,” Wilder said.

“When you have a manager as experienced as Danny Wilson with Frank Barlow there as well, the one thing that they will be stressing to their players is that they will want a reaction from Tuesday.

“I get the vibe that there were a few home truths told after Tuesday, and the supporters and manager will expect to see a reaction from the players when they play us so there’s a bit of extra in it for them.”