STUART McCall may be 38 and nearing the end of his career but he has been a major influence in Sheffield United's success this season - and Robbie Blake is not in the least bit surprised.

The Clarets striker was a team-mate of the former Scotland international at Bradford City and he insisted: "Stuart is an unbelievably fit player.

"He has done brilliantly for Sheffield and he is well suited by that holding position in the middle of the park.

"He may not be as young as some but he has other qualities.

"He is a good leader and has got masses of experience.

"I played with him during our promotion season at Bradford and he was fantastic

"In fact just bring him back to Valley Parade gave everyone a big lift because he is a legend there.

"He was well respected by the players but for some reason he seemed to fall out with Jim Jeffries and so moved on. But I always felt he could still do a good job for someone and he has shown that at Sheffield United.

"I have seen him a few times because we live near each other but it will be good to catch-up with him again."

That promotion winning season may have been inspired by captain McCall but it was secured by the goals of Blake in partnership with Lee Mills.

And Blake hopes that a similar little and large combination might do the trick for the Clarets over the next few months.

"There is an obvious similarity between the way I am playing with Gareth Taylor and the partnership I had with Lee Mills at Bradford," he said.

"He is a big lad but with good control and a good finisher.

"We have played a run of games together now but we know we have the likes of Ian Moore and Dimi desperate to get in and Payts trying to get fit so there is a good competition for places.

"To be honest Gareth has been giving us a bit of stick for not setting him up but I have created goals for him against Gillingham and Wolves and so that has kept him quiet.

"Scoring goals is the best thing in football but the buzz from setting them up is not far behind.

"I love to be involved in creating chances and I was really pleased with the cross against Wolves."

Blake came off at Brighton immediately after creating another chance for Taylor, one he fired wide, and so he was on the bench when the 2-0 lead was surrendered.

"It is a massive game tomorrow, they are all big over Christmas," he said. "I know we should have won at Brighton but I think we would have taken four points from two games if we had been offered them.

"That is why we have to be positive and not dwell on letting a two goal lead slip. The results mean we can go into the New Year with confidence and believe we can climb the table. There will be a fantastic crowd there and a great atmosphere but we believe we have every chance of winning it, with the players we have got."

That would ensure Blake would have the bragging rights as he shares a New Year's Day drink with his ex-skipper after the game.