Paul Jewell is urging his Bradford City forward line to follow legendary hitman Ian Rush's example when they face Sheffield United tomorrow.

The City boss says Rush was a tremendous influence on his career when the pair were in the same Liverpool squad in the early-1980s.

The Welsh international was among the best centre forwards in the world at the time and with Rush set to make his home debut for the Blades against City tomorrow, Jewell is looking for a good showing from his own strikers.

"Rushie is a great player and we will respect him and Dean Saunders as they are an international forward line. He has great movement and a lot of his goals have been scored in the six-yard box, which is something I am concerned that we don't score enough of.

"That is where the majority of goals are scored as it is where it hurts as defenders are throwing themselves in front of you.

"It isn't a lack of bravery or anything like that. Sometimes we maybe don't have that desire to stick our feet or heads in like Rushie did at Liverpool. Too many balls are going across the goal for my liking.

"His work-rate is phenomenal and he is the best forward at closing down that I have ever seen. And if it is good enough for Rushie then it is certainly good enough for us."

City travel to Bramall Lane looking to blunt a Blades side who possess the only unbeaten home record in the First Division this season.

Jewell is steeling himself for a tough encounter but remains confident of building on Tuesday night's welcome 2-1 victory against Port Vale.

He said: "It will be a tough game. Chris Hutchings was at QPR watching Sheffield's 2-2 draw on Wednesday night and he said they were by far the better side.

"They may be unbeaten at home but so were Stockport when we travelled there in January. It would be nice to go and dent another unbeaten home record. People wrote us off then and we did well."

The Blades' promotion bid has been hit by the financial problems which have led to several star names being sold this season.

Strikers Brian Deane and Jan-Aage Fjortoft both left Bramall Lane this month while Don Hutchison yesterday completed his £1million transfer to Everton.

The move reunites Hutchison with manager Howard Kendall, who signed him for the Blades for £1.2million in January 1996.

"It's great to have another chance in the Premier League, which is where I think I'm capable of playing," the former Liverpool and West Ham midfielder said. "I wouldn't have left Sheffield if I thought Everton would go down or be in trouble. I think they've turned the corner but we must keep working hard,"

The deal also sees defender Jon O'Connor move in the opposite direction and he may face City tomorrow.

City will be looking to avenge four defeats by the Blades in league and cup meetings last season.

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