Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has insisted that new manager Kevin Blackwell can steer the Blades into the play-offs.

Sharp was handed his first start since January 12 in Blackwell's first game on Sunday when United drew their fifth-round FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough.

Sharp said: "There seems to have been a big lift around the place.

"It's a fresh start. We got a good result against Middlesbrough and if we can get a good run going in the league I think we can still make the play-offs.

"I don't think a top-six finish is beyond us at all. We're 11 points off, but everyone can beat everyone else in this league and the mood is that we're not giving up on it yet."

Blackwell, former assistant to Neil Warnock at Bramall Lane before leaving for Leeds in 2003, returned to take charge of the Blades until the end of the season following the departure last week of Bryan Robson.

TeamTalk / Eurosport