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Naughton in Blades pledge
SHEFFIELD United defender Kyle Naughton, one of the most sought-after talents in the Football League, has reaffirmed his commitment to Bramall Lane.
Naughton has attracted a host of top-flight admirers, including Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle, since breaking into Kevin Blackwell's side earlier this season.
The interest reached fever pitch when Naughton, who turned 20 in November, celebrated his birthday by making his debut for England under-21s against the Czech Republic and, having won his second cap against Ecuador a fortnight ago, United confirmed they rebutted an approach for his services from an unnamed club during the recent transfer window.
But, speaking ahead of tonight's FA Cup fifth round replay at Hull City, Naughton said: "I was born in Sheffield, I live in Sheffield and I'm a Sheffield United fan.
"This club has treated me really well and I want to pay them back for that.
"Yes, of course it's nice to know that people are looking at you and to read it in the paper. It would be great to play in the Premiership but I'm a United player and I'm looking to go up with United.
"There's no reason why we can't do that.
"We've got a great manager and great players so the very least we should be aiming for is the play-offs."
United, who could be without Matthew Kilgallon (back), Nick Montgomery (hamstring) and Danny Webber (gastroenteritis) at the KC Stadium, slipped to seventh in the table after the latest round of Championship fixtures but could regain their top six status when second-placed Birmingham visit South Yorkshire on Sunday.
Naughton said: "I've played more games than I could have dreamed of at this stage.
"People like Monty have always been telling me that the best thing is to learn your trade at your club. Then, in two years or so, you can look to get to where you want to be but, like I say, I want to do that here with United.
"But I'm in no hurry and I want to do that here.
"Some of those above us are slipping up a bit and so, hopefully, we can be the one that sneaks through."
Although Blackwell could struggle to name a full complement of substitutes as United attempt to set up a quarter-final tie against either Arsenal or Burnley, Hull's assistant manager Brian Horton said: "Sheffield United have got the same predicament because they need to get back into the Premier League.
"They probably fancied their chances at Bramall Lane and while it wasn't a great game, it was a good cup tie and it'll be the same tonight.
"We've got the likes of Geovanni and Nicky Barmby who didn't play on Monday – a Brazilian international and an England international – so it's not a bad squad we've got."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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