GEORGES Santos is ready to see some broken hearts at his old club Sheffield United tonight.The former Blade still has many friends in the Steel City but knows victory for Ipswich would virtually end United's hopes of a top-six finish.

GEORGES Santos is ready to see some broken hearts at his old club Sheffield United tonight, writes Derek Davis.

The former Blade still has many friends in the Steel City but knows victory for Ipswich would virtually end United's hopes of a top-six finish.

Santos said: "I have friends up there and they will be disappointed because it means they probably will not make the play-offs. But I can't worry about that, it is another game for me and I want Ipswich to win it.

"I'm not sure if I will stay over or not, we will see after the game."

Although Santos has twice played against Neil Warnock's side since leaving in controversial circumstances a couple of years back, it will be his first visit back to Bramall Lane.

He said: "It will be good to go back and see some old friends and the fans. I know they don't forget me and they have given me a good reception when they have come to Grimsby and earlier this year at Portman Road.

"The Sheffield United crowd are very supportive of their club even when things are not going well and there will be a great atmosphere.

"And with Ipswich fans as well, who have been brilliant all season, it will be a fantastic night."

Santos left after the infamous night United's game with West Brom was abandoned with United only having seven players.

Santos was one of those sent off after clashing with Baggies Andy Johnson and it got even nastier when he was off the field of play, but he got blamed.

He said: "The big brawl! The only thing I was disappointed with the board was how I was made the scapegoat. It should be remembered that the big fight and everything else happened after I had already been sent off and I was in the dressing room.

"But that is all I was a little unhappy with. The fans were brilliant with me and appreciated what I did in the three years I was there and they knew my feeling for the club."

Victory tonight would go a long way in securing a top-six spot for Town and it would represent the peak of Santos's career in England.

He said: "This would be the first time to actually be in the play-offs, although I came close in my first year with Sheffield United.

"This is all very, very exciting and I love being involved."

And he has passed on a few tips on how to beat Neil Warnock's side.

He said: "We have to do the same as we did when we beat them 3-0 in November. Good football mixed with a little bit of the physical game, typical English football.

"Mr Warnock knows that and he will have his team whipped up so we have to do the work.

"I won't mind if we don't play particularly well but we get the three points."

While Town have quality, Santos points to a number of key players in the Blades line-up.

He said: "They have a big squad and Mr Warnock has brought in a lot of experience with Alan Wright from Middlesbrough, Robert Page from Watford, and Stuart McCall.

"Jack Lester I know well and of course 'The Chief' Wayne Allison, so they have a good team and it will be difficult but it is 11 against 11.

"We have to be ready for them and ready for the physical aspect as well as the football."

If Tommy Miller is fit then Santos may not even make the bench but he is willing to bide his time.

He said: "You get frustrated and disappointed when you don't play but that is the manager's decision. I will wait and take my chance when it comes, hopefully in the play-offs."