GEORGES Santos is determined to climb off his sick bed and stymie his former club's challenge to go top of the table, writes Derek Davis.The flu-stricken giant French defender was a popular part of Neil Warnock's Sheffield United side for two years but would love to end his 19-game goal drought with Les Blues.

GEORGES Santos is determined to climb off his sick bed and stymie his former club's challenge to go top of the table, writes Derek Davis.

The flu-stricken giant French defender was a popular part of Neil Warnock's Sheffield United side for two years but would love to end his 19-game goal drought with Les Blues.

Santos said: "It is always special playing a former team because you know the players and the manager but let us hope it will be better than my return to West Brom.

"Mind you there were some stupid people there who you can't change. They just forgot what I had given to West Brom when they were in trouble.

"I don't expect that with Blades fans at Portman Road. When they went to Grimsby last year and I was playing they gave me a good reception which I appreciated."

Santos's stint at Bramall Lane ended with a controversial sending-off against his old club Albion and he found little sympathy from the Blades staff.

He said: "The final bit was a bit disappointing as the club did not give me any support over that incident, but that is all in the past now."

United were Santos's third club after arriving from France and joining Tranmere where he first played alongside John McGreal, who could well figure for the first time in nine months today.

He then joined West Brom before United and last season was at Grimsby before his summer move to Ipswich.

He said: "I have a lot of respect for Sheffield United. It is a big club and I enjoyed my two years there and it was a pleasure playing for them, but I'm an Ipswich Town player now and want to do my best for them.

"I would love to score my first goal of the season against Sheffield but the most important thing is that we get the three points no matter who scores."

The way both teams play it could be another free-scoring game and Santos knows he is in for a tough time from Ashley Ward and the small but swift Jack Lester.

He said: "I saw the 3-2 game between Ipswich and Sheffield when Town won with 10 men on the television last season and it was a great game.

"When I was at Sheffield we played a physical game which was Neil Warnock's style but we also tried to play a bit of football.

"We know it will be difficult against United and we have to be patient, the supporters need to be patient. Against a team like Sheffield United you have to be very cautious. It could be we will score in the first minute or the last minute but I'm sure we can win."