Unsworth influence sealed striker move

Striker Vincent Pericard has revealed former Portsmouth team-mate David Unsworth was instrumental in his decision to join Coca-Cola Championship leaders Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old has joined the Blades on a three-month loan after manager Neil Warnock finally lured the Cameroon-born Frenchman to Bramall Lane.

Pericard told the club’s official website, www.sufc.co.uk: “I am very happy about this move because it gives me the chance to play and show what I can do.

“David (Unsworth) confirmed what everyone else had said, that everything is going great here – the players, fans, manager, everything about the club.”

Pericard arrived at Juventus as a 17-year-old and spent two years with the Italian giants, where he appeared in the Champions League win against Arsenal.

He then joined Portsmouth on loan during their 2002/2003 promotion season, scoring 12 goals as they emphatically claimed the title and the deal became permanent.

However, he suffered a succession of thigh and cruciate ligament injuries and lost his place and, despite beginning this season fully fit, Pericard admits he will be better served by an opportunity to play elsewhere.

“In the end I realised that it was best for everyone to go away from Portsmouth and play. If people don’t change their minds, then maybe it is best to change your own.”

Pericard is set to slot into the Blades squad for Saturday when the table-toppers travel to Watford seeking to extend their blistering start to the season which has garnered seven wins from eight games.