Reading make the trip up to the Steel City looking for a fourth straight win as top plays second in the early standings of the Championship.

Regular opponents over the last 20 years, there are many who have played for the Royals and the Blades down the years.

Here are six key men who featured for both.

Reading Chronicle:

Stephen Quinn

Brought across as a teenager from Ireland, the combative midfielder spent seven years in Sheffield, racking up more than 200 appearances in the Premier League, Championship and League One.

Departing in 2012 for another successful spell with Hull City, he joined Reading in 2015 alongside Tigers teammate Paul McShane.

Unlucky with injuries throughout his time in Berkshire, especially in his second and third year, he was released in 2018 after just 45 appearances.

Now 36, he still plays and is captain for League Two Mansfield Town.

Chris Armstrong

A heartbreaking story, Armstrong was a tough tackling defender forced to return young after his diagnosis with MS.

Playing over 100 times for the Blades in the early 2000s, he was a regular in his debut Royals season- winning Player of the Season for 2008/09.

Battling his illness, he featured eight times in the following two years before announcing his retirement in 2011.

Reading Chronicle:

Mikele Leigertwood

A regular with the likes of Wimbledon and Crystal Palace in the near-decade leading up to his move, the midfielder joined Neil Warnock and Sheffield United for their Premier League return in 2006.

Playing over 20 times as they were immediately relegated, he took in a successful spell with QPR before joining Reading, initially on loan, in 2011.

Over 100 appearances later, the Antigua and Barbuda international is still at the club, as U18 Professional Development Phase Coach, temporarily working with the first team last season after Veljko Paunovic's departure.

Reading Chronicle:

Billy Sharp

Mr Sheffield United himself, the iconic Blades captain has played more than 300 times for his boyhood club in three stints.

Having a short-term loan in Berkshire from Southampton, the 36-year-old scored twice in 10 appearances before returning to the South Coast.

A constant thorn in Reading's side, he is an out-and-out goalscorer at every level.

Reading Chronicle:

Oliver Norwood

A product of Manchester United's Academy, Reading signed the Northern Ireland midfielder from Huddersfield Town.

Becoming a key member of the squad for his two season's in Berkshire, promotions with Brighton and Fulham followed before Chris Wilder signed the 31-year-old in 2018.

One of the first names on thew teamsheet over since, the classy passer has racked up almost 200 appearances for the Blades in what is his fifth campagin