Rovers have won only one of their subsequent seven Championship games after getting their first campaign at this level in 50 years off to a flying start away to relegated Derby County on the opening day of the season.

They are currently languishing just above the relegation zone after slumping to a fourth successive defeat at home to lowly Southampton at the Keepmoat Stadium at the weekend.

"The Sheffield game has probably come at the right time for us," said Rovers' midfielder Richie Wellens.

"It is a big game and there will probably be a full house and the lads won't need any motivation to get up for it.

"Derby games, whoever you are playing, are always special and you can sense the atmosphere as soon as you get to the ground on a match day.

"Sheffield are a big strong side who have spent a lot of money on players such as James Beattie.

"They were playing in the Premiership the season before last so they have got a lot of players in their side who have top flight experience, so it is not going to be an easy game.

"But despite our recent results we aren't playing badly; there is a fine line between victory and defeat at this level. We just need a win from anywhere to get our confidence back up."

Said team-mate Mark Wilson, who could start if fellow midfielder Brian Stock's back problem flares up again: "Sheffield United have had a bit of an indifferent period of late, but they are one of the sides expected to be up there or thereabouts come the end of the season like Birmingham, QPR and Charlton, who we have already played, so we know it will be tough game.

"I know that we will be going into the game on a run of defeats, but we have been playing better than our results would suggest.

"We have shown that we can compete with anybody in this league and it is just the finishing touches that have been missing, but that will come.

"We've got six or seven forwards in the squad and they all bring something different to the team and I'm sure that we'll start scoring more goals.

"We are creating chances and whereas last season they were going in that's not been the case this season. We just need that bit of luck which all teams need on occasions.

"Hopefully that will start to happen tonight because whoever plays is going to be up for the game. They are the sort of games that players look forward to."

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