Sheffield United will fight City's advances for Stuart McCall all the way.

Chairman Julian Rhodes has made it clear that the Blades number two is far and away his top target as boss and has set himself a two-week deadline to land him. But the Premiership club are equally keen to keep McCall at Bramall Lane.

Talks between McCall, whose contract is up in the summer, and City are expected after Sheffield United's season finishes against Wigan on Sunday.

But the Blades have already fired an early warning shot in the battle to hang on to their in-demand asset.

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe said: "Stuart is very much considered to be part of the future here. He is part of a management team which has served us well and so of course we want to keep that together."

McCabe is understood to be a huge fan of McCall and had primed him to take over when manager Neil Warnock was close to joining Portsmouth in December 2005.

It is thought a new deal on the table from the Blades would include the carrot of stepping up to the top job when Warnock does decide to move on.

A source close to the club revealed: "Kevin sees Stuart as an integral part of what we are trying to do here.

"He does see Stuart very much as someone he wants to groom to become manager and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of provision in his new contract to reflect that."

There is also the worry for City that, should the Blades stay up, the prospect of next year's vastly-increased Premiership warchest could mean a much improved financial offer for McCall which they could not hope to match.

McCall, who is still idolised by Valley Parade fans, has declined to comment on the speculation other than to say that he will sit down to sort out his future once the Premiership season has ended.