YORK City's 'Sheffield spies' will hope their home knowledge will pay dividends in tonight's opening Worthington Cup clash against the Blades.

Free-scoring striker Peter Duffield, fellow front-man Jon Parkin and defensive duo Tom Cowan and Scott Jones, all live in or around the steel city, with the Minstermen quartet regularly making the journey from South to North Yorkshire together.

But the luck of the draw in this season's Worthington Cup means the fearsome foursome will have a rare fixture at their home from home, although Parkin will miss out playing with a calf injury.

For Duffield and Cowan, the short journey to Bramall Lane will also be a return to their old hunting ground.

Former Middlesbrough trainee Duffield was given his first taste of League action at the club before leaving in 1993 after six seasons, while Cowan made 44 League appearances for the Blades between 1991-93.

And for Duffield, he will make the trip to York's pre-match meeting venue keen to get back on scoring terms.

After six goals in the first six matches, only the woodwork and a stray defender's hand against Bury on Friday denied him equalling the scoring feats of seven-shooters Arthur Bottom, Paul Aimson and Billy Fenton.

Now Blades 'keeper Paddy Kenny, the star of United's second-half rearguard action as they held on for a 3-2 win over Norwich on Saturday, had better beware.

"I was more disappointed we didn't get the result on Friday. I couldn't give a monkey's about the record really," Duffield told the Evening Press. "A lot of people have mentioned it, but the disappointing thing is we didn't get a result.

"We have lost two games this season away from home, but on both occasions we've deserved something from them so we have to take the positives.

"It will be hard, but I don't see why we can't get a result at Bramall Lane.

"It will be a different type of game than we are used to, it will be slower paced.

"When you play higher division sides you tend to get more time on the ball than you do in our division.

"We are not going to win the Cup at the end of the competition, so it will be about putting on a performance and getting our confidence back."

Duffield, who netted 18 League goals for the Blades, has already been back to the Lane to see what will await him and his fellow Minstermen.

"I went to watch them a couple of weeks ago against Millwall and the lad (Michael) Tonge did very well, while (Stuart) McCall is as fit as they come in midfield.

"And with (Carl) Asaba, (Iffy) Onoura and (Peter) Ndlovu there is a lot of experience," he said.

"But we have got a very strong defence, so it will be down to how we cut out their supply in getting the balls forward."

With Parkin injured, Duffield and fellow experienced campaigner Lee Nogan could be joined by either Alex Mathie, Rogerio Carvalho, or young Craig Wilding - although boss Terry Dolan could tinker with the formation.

"I've no problem with who comes in," said Duffield.

"The competition is there, not just up front but all over the park.

"Whoever comes in - if someone does come in - will be a good replacement. We are just after a positive reaction from Bury."

Updated: 12:20 Tuesday, September 10, 2002