Walsall winger Kevan Hurst goes back to Bramall Lane for the first time aiming to wreck Sheffield United’s flying start to the season.

The wide man and former United trainee admits he owes the Blades a debt of gratitude for sparking his career – but is prepared to forget his roots for 90 minutes.

Hurst returns after failing to break into then-manager Neil Warnock’s side as a youngster, with United’s rise to the Premier League in 2006 sounding the death knell for his Blades career.

Just five games in four years – and loan spells at Boston, Chesterfield and Stockport – saw him swap Sheffield for Scunthorpe in 2007 on Warnock’s advice.

A £100,000 move to Carlisle followed two years later before he was released by the Cumbrians and joined Walsall in the summer.

Now, on the brink of his first return to the Steel City, Hurst is aiming to recreate the form which made him a hot prospect at the Blades.

He said: “I had been there since I was 10 or 11, so it’s like home for me. I can’t wait. I’ve played against Sheffield United since I left but I’ve never played at Bramall Lane.

“I used to support Sheffield Wednesday but that got bled out of me because, obviously, there’s a massive rivalry.

“They got me to where I was but then I needed to move on to play more games. They were in the Premier League and Neil Warnock was honest with me and said I wasn’t going to be in the squad much.

“I was the season before but that’s when they were in the Championship. He advised me to go to Scunthorpe because Nigel Adkins was an up-and-coming manager. He said I would benefit and he was right.

“Unfortunately, I had a few injuries so I never got back up to that level but I’m looking to do it now.

“I never got into the squad on a regular basis at United but the Championship is where I want to play, because I proved I could play there with Scunthorpe.”

The Saddlers are underdogs but boast an unbeaten start in League One and are sixth in the early table.

And Hurst reckons they have reason to be confident.

He said: “I’ve got a lot to thank Sheffield United for but it’s always nice to get a victory against them. They have got a strong squad but I think we can do alright.

“We’ve had a decent start and we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves.”

But Hurst warned his team-mates about the Sheffield passion and is still shocked to see his former club in the third tier of English football.

He said: “It’ll be a good atmosphere, Sheffield Wednesday have been in League One for a couple of years and they still get 20,000 gates. It will be the same for Sheffield United.

“When they went to the Premier League, that’s when the fanbase really kicked off. That Sheffield passion will always be there.

“Both Sheffield sides shouldn’t be where they are but they are there for a reason, like everyone else.

“They have got some good players. I grew up playing with Stephen Quinn and he’s a good player, so I don’t feel they deserve to be there but obviously they are.”

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