EX-Wanderers favourite Mark Patterson is praying for a miracle in his old club's struggle for survival.

The current Sheffield United skipper has two mouthwatering fixtures against his former teammates to look forward to if Bolton fail to pull off a miracle escape.

But he would gladly put his homecoming on hold for 12 months and come face-to-face in the Premiership.

The midfield terrier's career is once again on an upward surge following his transfer to Bramall Lane as part of the deal which brought striker Nathan Blake to Burnden Park.

He is playing a key role in the engine room as part of new manager Howard Kendall's new look side which has averted an end of season relegation struggle with an impressive run of results.

Patterson, who has linked up with another ex-Burnden favourite Andy Walker, said: "I would sincerely love Wanderers to stay up.

"I had a great time there and their result is always one of the first I look for.

"But if they do come down I will certainly look forward to going back to Burnden Park.

"It would a big game for me. But I am a Sheffield United player now and I would be playing to win.

"We are optimistic that we can be challenging for promotion next season. We've got a new chairman and the manager has been given money to spend.

"He has brought in experienced players and we have a good squad.

"There is a lot of potential. When the new stand is completed the stadium will hold 33,000 all seated and we would expect to have around 20,000 backing us if we are at the top of the table."

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