Players are not often cheered by fans of their opponents, but Darren Currie will be an exception tomorrow.

He has no need to curry favour with visiting Sheffield United supporters at Withdean. The influential Albion midfielder's name is enough to guarantee him the warmest of welcomes.

Darren's uncle is the Sheffield United legend Tony Currie. A cult hero with Blades supporters, the Leeds, QPR and England midfield star of the Seventies has also been a major influence on his nephew.

"We have been in contact all through my career and there were a couple of things he has always drummed into me," Darren revealed.

"He had 100 per cent self belief and confidence in his ability and, along with my dad, encouraged me to be the same when I was a kid to make sure I kept believing through all the ups and downs.

"The most important thing he did when I was younger though was to make sure I was comfortable on the ball with both feet. That is probably the big advantage in my game that he's helped me develop.

"I was only a kid when I saw him play. I was a mascot a couple of times at QPR.

"I managed to go to the 1982 FA Cup final against Spurs. Other than that it is just video footage that I have managed to watch of him.

"He was unbelievable, so skillful, just a joy to watch. In those days that is what people used to go and see, the likes of him and Hoddle who was my idol as a kid. He was an entertainer.

"I actually played at Sheffield United for Wycombe in a Cup tie a couple of years ago and just through having Currie on my back I got such a warm welcome from everyone.

"I hope some of his ability has rubbed off on me. We have similar attributes. We are both two-footed ball players with blonde hair and he wasn't the quickest or known for his heading either!

"It's nice that I am playing against one of his teams, but at the end of the day I want to be talking to him on Saturday night about the three points we've just earnt."

Tony, now 54 and the Blades' football in the community officer, has seen Darren suffer the same sort of criticism he endured.

The playmaker fans called 'Top Cat' was regarded as a bit of a show pony by managers like Don Revie. He won only 17 caps in seven years for England and appeared only once in three years during Revie's reign, when he was widely recognised as the best midfielder in the country. It was a paltry return for such talent.

Tony is frustrated that it has taken Darren, 30 next month, until now to reach Championship level and that Sheffield United missed out on him.

"He stayed with me up here for a fortnight when he was 16 and Dave Bassett was manager," Tony said.

"He wasn't what they were looking for at the time.

"Within a month he got an apprenticeship at West Ham, so they obviously saw his potential. You cannot fault the lad for his skill, vision and passing ability.

"I have been telling people for the last ten years, if he had been at this grade, surrounded by better players, it would have made him an even better player.

"That's what happened to me when I went to Leeds. They were all internationals there.

"Darren has suffered, because he is not the quickest in the world and no-one would take a chance on him. "He has suffered mentally, because he wanted to be at the top and I feel for him.

"It comes as no surprise to me that the higher he got the better he would be. I never had any doubt that he is a great player and this is at least the division where he should be, not scratching around in the lower reaches like he was before."