Watford manager Malky Mackay stressed the importance of keeping Tuesday night’s defeat in perspective when his side travel to a ground he remembers fondly tomorrow.

The Hornets lost to Swansea City in mid-week after three consecutive victories, but Mackay is hopeful the momentum which sees them sitting in fourth continues.

“We keep everything in perspective here,” Mackay said.

“I like to look back at evidence and that shows that over the last nine games, the way we are playing and scoring goals, shows we are a solid team and that is something I want the team to see with their own eyes because if they do it keeps that momentum going.

“We need to go up to Sheffield with that momentum because in the opening nine games we have been competitive in every game we have played in.”

“Don’t get too high when you win and don’t get too low when you are beaten,” Mackay continued, “because there is very little in a lot of results in this division.

“Obviously you get the odd result where you win 6-1 but with wins and defeats, and even sometimes in performances, there is very little between them.”

Bramall Lane is a ground the Hornets manager remembers fondly because it is where he made his debut in English football and he also featured for Watford when they recorded an impressive 4-1 win at the stadium live on Sky in February 2006, the day after his daughter was born.

The Hornets travel to South Yorkshire with a fully-fit squad after Dale Bennett made an unexpected recovery from his ankle injury.

On Monday, Mackay stated Bennett would be out for two weeks due to the ankle problem he picked up last Friday but the defender returned to training at London Colney yesterday (Thursday).

“Dale will train with us tomorrow and will be part of the squad on Saturday,” Mackay confirmed.

Sheffield United sacked Kevin Blackwell after just two Championship matches this season and replaced him with former Newcastle United and Leeds United midfielder Gary Speed, who, like Mackay, had been at the club as a coach.

The Watford boss said: “I am delighted for Gary because what he will bring is a fresh enthusiasm, his experiences in football over the last 15 years and he will bring that willingness to learn and a quest for learning.

“I am delighted for him, just like I am for Ian Baraclough at Scunthorpe United.

“They are people who want to work hard and aren’t just doing it on the back of their reputation of old and to be in work again. They are people who are putting their heart and soul into the job.”

Former Hornets Darius Henderson and Lee Williamson are still out injured for United, as are Chris Morgan and Ryan France.

Arsenal loanee Kyle Bartley will also miss the match after fracturing his cheekbone in Tuesday’s draw with Nottingham Forest and Jamie Ward is suspended.

But Manchester United defender Richie De Laet, who was linked with Watford in the summer, may feature.

Speed also has 22-year-old Elian Parrino available after the Argentine joined on loan for the rest of the season.