Paul Heckingbottom is wary of a Norwich City side that could be a 'wounded animal' ahead of this weekend's crunch Championship clash against his Sheffield United side. 

The Blades boss is hoping his side can record another three points on the road to keep surging Middlesbrough at bay in the race for automatic promotion - but is not taking Norwich lightly. 

David Wagner's side endured a frustrating week prior to the international break, suffering a home defeat to Sunderland and two draws at struggling Huddersfield and in-form Stoke. 

Despite that, City remain firmly in the hunt for the top six and Heckingbottom is anticipating a testing clash against a side that possesses multiple threats. 

"They're a dangerous team. They won't be pleased with the last couple of results but they're at home again - wounded animal and all that," the Blades boss said at his pre-match press conference.

"I think they're a dangerous team anyway but in particular this weekend. I'm expecting us to be facing a really determined Norwich side.

"At this stage of the season, there will not be one game that we play in the league that is an easy game. Everybody is fighting for points at the top, bottom and there will be strange results. You have to prepare to play against the best version of that team.

"Norwich are dangerous. They have some good players."

Sheffield United travel to Carrow Road in a euphoric mood having come from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers to book their place in an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. 

The Blades' focus remains on the league, however - with Heckingbottom's side seeking to record consecutive Championship victories for the first time in nearly a month. 

There are some fears that Sheffield United could suffer from stagefright in the remaining matches, but Heckingbottom is encouraging everyone involved in the club to embrace the situation. 

The Pink Un: The teams recorded a 2-2 draw back in October. The teams recorded a 2-2 draw back in October. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"It's why we're here. I spoke about that with the players today. You have to enjoy it and everything that comes with it," Heckingbottom said. 

"You can't be scared going into these games in case you go a goal down, or worry about results and you're not sleeping. This is why we are here. We would all take this over being in mid table or at the bottom of the league.

"We're playing for a promotion. We're playing in an FA Cup semi-final in a couple of weeks - this is what it is all about.

It does raise everything in terms of expectation, standards and how hard we have to work but let's go test ourselves, enjoy it and attack it."