GRANT SMITH is already assured of a hot Hillsborough reception and the former Sheffield United man is aiming to further enhance his 'villain' status among the Owls faithful.

Adding to his two goals at Bradford City would certainly enrage the home supporters while boosting his own prospects of remaining in Wiltshire.

Smith, pictured, whose contract is up at the end of the campaign, said: "It'd be nice to get two games on the spin. I think I managed a game and a half against Brighton last season.

"If I can put together another performance on Saturday then hopefully two games will become three and so on."

Stability and continuity are two items on the player's New Year wish list.

The most number of matches in a row Smith has managed for a club is the 11 games he played for Halifax Town during the 2001-2 campaign.

He said: "I've enjoyed the loan spells I've had with different clubs, some good clubs, but hopefully I can now start to establish myself."

Smith is priced at 25-1 by one leading bookmaker to open the scoring tomorrow, a price which makes him laugh.

He said: "It would be something to score at Hillsborough wouldn't it?

"As for 25-1, I was being offered 16-1 and 20-1 ahead of the Bradford game when it didn't even look as though I'd play."

As an added incentive to impress tomorrow, Smith will be cheered on by three brave Blades in disguise.

Steve Jagielka, Michael Tonge and Nick Montgomery are all in FA Cup action for Sheffield United on Saturday lunchtime against Aston Villa.

Once that match is over the trio will rush over to Hillsborough to cheer on Smith.

Smith said: "Hopefully they'll make it but they'll probably have to be in disguise being United players."

One of the midfielder's rare starts for Town came in the 3-2 league win over Wednesday back in October.

He said: "We beat them that night after coming back from 2-0 down.

"We then beat them in the FA Cup so maybe we're a bit of a bogey team for them.

"I think the pressure's on them ahead of this match, especially at Hillsborough."

While Smith believes he can flourish given a run in the side, manager Andy King has reiterated his view that he isn't in the business of making snap judgements about players.

He said: "Grant played well on Monday at Bradford in a very good side.

"The test for him is to see if he be consistent over a period. Let's talk about him after Sheffield Wednesday.

"I don't make judgements after one game, I make them over time.

"If he plays the next six games like he did on Monday then I'll start to talk about certain situations."