City will be spurred on at Sheffield United tonight by painful memories of their 5-0 home mauling.

Mark Bower has promised to put the record straight in the return meeting at Bramall Lane against Neil Warnock's play-off contenders.

Centre-half Bower is among only four City players featuring tonight who started the Valley Parade meeting in November, although Claus Jorgensen and Andy Myers came on as substitutes.

He said: "That result really hurt us, especially as it was the second successive home game we'd conceded five.

"We had a lot of injuries at the time so we had a few loan players in and were going through that terrible spell of losing seven in a row. You look back now and think if we'd got some results then it could have been a different season.

"It was a very bad occasion. There were a few of us who played that game and are in tonight and we want to go out and put a few things right."

Dean Windass could be back for the third-placed Blades as Warnock rotates his squad ahead of the play-offs. Stuart McCall was also rested at the weekend.

Bower said: "It's a difficult one to read. I'm not sure if they will put out their strongest team or rest a couple with a view to the play-offs.

"But they have such a big squad and when you look at the players they can bring in, we aren't expecting an easy ride.

"Sheffield United have had a very long season with reaching both semi-finals. We've only played two cup games, they've had well into double figures, which must have taken a lot out.

"It happens so often that teams have such a good season and get to semi-finals but end up with absolutely nothing to show for it.

"What they have done has been great for this division with all their giant-killing like beating Leeds twice, Sunderland and going close with Liverpool. But it is still going to be difficult for them."

Most fans want the Blades to claim the third promotion spot because of their City connection. But Bower feels they could dip out again.

He added: "I've got a sneaky suspicion that Wolves will do it. They didn't look very good against us in December but they've gone on a good run and hit form at the right time.

"But I think everyone in Bradford would like to see Sheffield United do it.

"They have got a Bradford legend in their squad in Stuart McCall and the fans here will be looking out to see how they get on."