The Sheffield-born former Blade keeps a close eye on local clubs and hopes Wednesday beat the drop and United challenge sixth-placed Crystal Palace all the way for a play-off spot.

But the ex-Nottingham Forest man isn't openly backing Doncaster Rovers, another of his former sides, to go up to The Championship.

Speaking on video on thestar.co.uk, Lester said he thought the Blades were "more than capable of going to Southampton and winning."

But he thought it likely that Neil Warnock's Palace would get a result against Burnley and drift out of Kevin Blackwell's reach.

He said: "Sheffield Wednesday got themselves more or less safe on Saturday with that fantastic win (at Leicester]. If they hadn't won, they would have been right in there (drop zone] but hopefully Wednesday will be safe."

Lester, 32, acknowledged Nottingham Forest were just a point behind second-placed Rovers in League One.

Rovers faced a "tough" road trip to Cheltenham while Forest were at home to Yeovil; making it too tight to predict.

Lester admitted his own Chesterfield's side's season had ended in disappointment; the Derbyshire side are eighth in League Two.

He said early-season expectation had been for a play-off place "at worst."

But Lester, one year into a three year deal, thought bright times lay ahead.

He said the construction of a new ground to replaced the "tired" Saltergate would attract new players and more fans.

He said: "It will be a boost to the town... things will move on."

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