Hammond focused on Sheffield United promotion push

Colchester's Owen Garvan tussles with Sheffield United's Dean Hammond

The midfielder, whose loan from Leicester City was renewed until the end of the season last week, made the admission after Saturday’s victory over Colchester moved Nigel Adkins’ side to within a point of the play-off positions.

Adkins, the United manager, is keen to secure Hammond’s services on a permanent basis when his contract at the KP Stadium expires this summer but the player himself said: “I’m just living in the present at the moment. I’m just enjoying playing my football and not thinking about anything else. We’re in the mix and my focus is on trying to do something here. That’s what I’m concentrating on, doing well for Sheffield United and nothing else.”

Sheffield United's Billy Sharp celebrates his side's winning goal

Hammond, who gained succesive promotions under Adkins at Southampton before helping City reach the top-flight two years ago, added: “I’m loving it and to play for a big club like this is a real honour. Like everyone else, I want to achieve something here.

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“It was always part of my plan to stay because I know the manager well, I’ve had success under him in the past, and I’ve seen the ambition here.

“It’s a great club with a superb fan base and excellent facilities that wants to push on.”

United, who remain seventh, recorded their fifth win in eight outings when David Edgar scrambled home Martyn Woolford’s 91st minute corner.

Tom Eastman had earlier cancelled-out Billy Sharp’s opener for the visitors.

“That probably wasn’t our best performance but it was a winning performance and that’s what counts,” Hammond said. “We got a bit of luck but it was luck that was deserved. It’s been a hard week with three away games and perhaps that showed a little bit second-half. But we dug it out and that’s the sign of a good team. If you can win games when you are not at your best then you are always going to stand a good chance.”

“If we can win these games and beat the teams above us as well then we’ll have a great chance,” Hammond added. “Realisitically, we know we’ll need to do that but we’re chasing and looking up. If we hit form and go on a good run then people are going to be worried about us.”