Blades ready to keep Wolves from Premiership door

Sheffield United face a £25m (€34m) showdown with Wolves for a place in the Premiership today, but skipper Rob Page will send his team-mates into battle with the message: “It’s just another game.”

In light of what is at stake for both clubs in the First Division play-off final, Page is aware nerves could easily take centre stage at a sell-out Millennium Stadium in Cardiff ahead of any potential match-winning performance.

Page, who has played at the 72,000-capacity ground on many occasions now for Wales, knows the venue alone is enough to put the frighteners on a player.

Not even United’s matches at Old Trafford and Anfield in the semi-finals of the FA and Worthington cups this season are likely to prepare Neil Warnock’s side for what is in store this afternoon.

Which is why the 28-year-old Page, who experienced play-off success with Watford in 2000, will be determined to ease the tension in the dressing room ahead of kick-off.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have played at the Millennium Stadium quite a few times in my career and it is awesome, unbelievable, fantastic,” extolled Page on his return to his hometown of Cardiff.

“The atmosphere is going to be electric, especially if they close the roof, but it’s hard to put into words and convey to the rest of the lads just what it will be like.

“I’ve mentioned it and I’ve spoken to a few players about it, but all I can say is that it is unbelievable, and when you walk out you are in awe.

“But we’ve just got to realise that at the end of the day it’s just another game. There’s a lot riding on it, don’t get me wrong.

“If you sit down and actually think what comes with this match then you would be a bag of nerves, so it’s simply another game.”

Although United took four points off Wolves in the league this season and finished the same number of points clear of Dave Jones’ side in the table - taking third to the Molineux club’s fifth – Page knows such factors count for nothing on the day.

“We’ve a lot of respect for Wolves,” added Page.

“The table doesn’t lie. They finished in a great position and on their day they are capable of beating the best so we know it’s going to be an extremely tough day for us.

“At the end of the day we’ve had a fantastic season. If you look at what we’ve done – two semi-finals of the cups with great results against Leeds and Liverpool – we know they will also respect us.

“So it’s two good teams fighting it out for Premiership football. I’m a bit biased because I think Sheffield United deserve to be there.

“I agree that Wolves are a massive club. It’s just unfortunate that both teams are playing for the same prize on this occasion.”

Centre-back Page will also find himself directly up against his Wales team-mate and Wolves striker Nathan Blake in a battle which could determine who will be playing top-flight football next season and who will still be in the Nationwide League.

Page is aware of Blake’s strengths, but remains confident it is he and United who will be back in the big time after a nine-year absence.

“I rate him (Blake) very highly,” asserted Page.

“He has all the attributes of a top striker. He is quick, very strong and a good finisher as well.

“Myself, Jags (Phil Jagielka) and the rest of the back four know we are going to be in for a very tough game because Wolves have got pace, power and score goals.

“Regardless of the players who start, they’ve also players who can come off the bench and do a job at any time, so we know we’ve got to concentrate for 90 minutes, if not 120.

“But if we play to our capabilities, like we have done all season, then the result will look after itself and we will get the win.”

Veteran midfielder Stuart McCall could come into contention having shaken off an ankle knock, while Warnock must decide on the most effective strike pairing, with Carl Asaba, Dean Windass, Steve Kabba, Paul Peschisolido and Wayne Allison to choose from.