Steve Davis says Sheffield United are well equipped to return to the Sky Bet Championship but he admits that the play-offs look wide open this season. The Crewe boss believes it will take an enormous effort from Nigel Clough’s side for them to snatch one of the automatic promotion places but he says there is no reason they cannot secure promotion via the exciting play-off route.

Davis has been a long-time admirer of Sheffield United’s strength in depth in their squad and says that the recent permanent signing of the former Crewe man John Brayford only reflects their intent.

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bramall Lane, Steve told crewealex.net: “I would have thought that Nigel’s remit when he was offered the job was to get the club back into the Championship.

“They have done brilliantly in the cup competitions over the last couple of seasons but their main objective will be go up. They look like making the play-offs and there is no reason why they cannot go on and win that. There will be three good teams left disappointed this season.

“They are not totally out of grabbing second place but that will be a tough ask at this stage of the season. They would have to go on some run but they have the squad to do that. They have strength in depth and have spent some money.

“They managed to sign John Brayford on a permanent deal and we know all about the quality he has. He has played at centre-half recently.

 He added: “They have quality players and are strong. We have already played them three times this season after drawing them in the FA Cup, so we know about them as much as anybody.”