Josh Windass must keep an eye on the Blades in every sense of the word this weekend.

The in-form Sheffield Wednesday star gets his first taste of the Steel City derby when the fierce rivals meet at Bramall Lane on Sunday. But before that he’s got to enter another cauldron of fire – the hot seat of his Sheffield United-supporting hairdresser. Windass, 30, admitted: “My barber actually is a Blade so I’m hoping he’s not going to butcher me before the weekend.

“I said to him yesterday ‘make sure you don’t ruin my haircut for Sunday.’ But he said he couldn’t promise me anything so we’ll see how it goes. And I played with Kieffer Moore [at Wigan] but apart from that, I don’t know any of their players. My old man is really good friends with Chris Wilder, though.

“I think he did his coaching badges with him so maybe they’ve had a drink or two together around the years. I’m going to leave Chris alone because my old man will hammer me.”

Dean Windass, of course, also briefly played for both clubs in his distinguished career. After relegation from the Premier League, Wilder’s United are flying high in second spot while the Owls are down in 15th. The Steel City derby has been around for 134 years but the warring neighbours haven’t faced each other since 2019 making Sunday’s battle all the more hugely anticipated.

Forward Windass knows plenty about derby occasions having featured for Rangers against Celtic but he never won in seven meetings. He has already earned a place in Owls folklore after hitting a last-minute Wembley winner in the League One play-off final last year.

Windass admitted: “My goal in an Old Firm game was in a defeat unfortunately so if I can score a winner in a Sheffield derby that would be amazing. I’ll be going into the game with confidence and belief like I normally do.

“But the aim is not to score the winner, just for the team to win. I would compare it [Steel City derby] to Glasgow in that it means everything to everyone. It’s like a goldfish bowl kind of area here: you’re either Sheffield United fan or Sheffield Wednesday. That’s how it is and it’s all people care about.

“I have close friends now who are Wednesday fans who are literally telling me they don’t go to the game because it’s at their stadium. That’s how big the rivalry is. I’m looking forward to sampling the atmosphere – and if it’s anything like an Old Firm atmosphere I cannot wait.”

Windass, who has scored three goals in his last six league games, says there are some differences having revealed what it was like bumping into Celtic players around Glasgow. He said: “There would just be no exchange at all, no eye contact. “You wouldn’t say a word: you wouldn’t dare in case someone saw you.

“I don’t sit and have a coffee with anybody [in Sheffield] but I’ll say ‘hello.’ Last season I’d see Jon Egan and Flecky [John Fleck]. We weren’t exactly friends but we were more polite. There’s no hiding place on how well they [United] are doing; I’m not going to come on here and slag anyone off.

“They’ve had a brilliant start to the season and are a really good test for us at the weekend. They seem good as a unit as they’re not conceding many goals. But any team can concede through bits of good play and bits of magic – and we have plenty of players who can open defences up. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”