Blackwell backing for Ward

Published: 12 Mar 2009 - 16:36:00

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The Blades paid £333,000 to Chesterfield in January for the 22-year-old and Blackwell revealed he was not surprised when taking a call from Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington. Blackwell said: "I'm delighted about it. Nigel Worthington spoke to Sam Ellis and myself last week so we knew it might be in the offing. "The way he came on and impressed at QPR a week ago showed he is now a real Championship player. He works off the ball, can change things on the pitch and has improved no end since he came. "Jamie seems to me like a lad who accepts challenges and he will continue to get better because of it, so his future looks bright. The lads welcomed him with open arms, he's comfortable here and he has the hunger to go places. "You never know for sure how quickly a young player can take things on and prove himself, but he has in a short space of time. He buzzes around opponents and although it's a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence he stays on the right side of the line."