Important advantage Sheffield United can lean on in the Championship promotion race

Paul Heckingbottom believes Sheffield United players' promotion experience will pay dividends in the final run-in. The Blades sit inside the play-off in sixth place but remain embroiled in a fierce battle to extend their season into May.

United gave up a big opportunity to gain ground on their rivals but were beaten 2-1 by relegation-threatened Reading at Bramall Lane. Heckingbottom's side could drop out the top-six if Middlesbrough win their match in hand.

With five games remaining, United's hopes of promotion remain on a knife-edge. However, the Blades have a squad packed with players with promotion experience, that have been there and bought the t-shirt.

Billy Sharp and Chris Basham could return to the side after the Easter schedule whilst Wes Foderingham and Conor Hourihane have both been involved in the play-off lottery. Heckingbottom believes that could prove vital as the heat turns up in the final weeks of the season.

"Just look at all the results again," Heckingbottom told the media. "It's a strange time and everyone feels it.

"You have got to be cool, you have got to be calm. Things aren't always going to go your way.

"The patience we showed in getting back into the game against Reading is important. You have got to be calm and that's going to be important in these last four games.

"We have turned it into a sprint, it's all about the points. There will still be more ups and downs, but as I have left it with the players there, we have to make sure we have more ups than the other teams.

"That's it. It's as simple as that now. I am talking points, not performances. We have got the experience in there, players who have been there, players who have felt it.

"Hopefully, we get Oli (McBurnie) back and it's just a