'My Sheffield Wednesday history won't have an impact' says Watford boss Nigel Pearson ahead of Boxing Day clash with Sheffield United

Pearson is well-regarded at Hillsborough, having captained the Owls to their 1991 League Cup victory over Manchester United.

The 56-year-old will be in the away dugout at Bramall Lane on Thursday after agreeing a deal until the end of the current season to replace Quique Sanchez Flores, whose second spell in charge at Vicarage Road ended less than 90 days after he was re-appointed.

But Pearson is focusing on the Bramall Lane clash only in regards to the Hornets’ safety bid, rather than his past association with United’s bitter rivals.

"I just think of it more in the context of me going back there as Watford's head coach," Pearson said.

"Clearly I played seven years at Sheffield Wednesday, but I don't really think it has a bearing on terms of how I approach it. This is just our next game.

"I think Chris Wilder has done a marvellous job at Sheffield United and he is a nice guy as well, so I don't think my personal connection with Sheffield Wednesday is really relevant to our situation now.

"We have a job to do in terms of putting a performance in and trying to get three points if we can to improve our situation so that's how I look at it."