Greg Halford has admiited he has an ulterior motive in trying to achieve promotion with Sheffield United as he tries to bounce back from being one of football's forgetten men.
 
Halford, who scored United's FA Cup opener against Premier League Hull City last weekend, forged a reputation as one of English football's brightest talents during an early spell at Colchester United. But subsequent transfers to Reading and Sunderland have hampered the progress initially expected of him.
 
Now halfway through a season-long loan at Bramall Lane, the versatile defender and occasional midfielder hopes his performances in South Yorkshire can remind the footballing world, and perhaps more poignantly parent club Sunderland, of his undisputed talents.
 
"It does seem like everyone has forgotten me since I moved to Sunderland," Halford told the assembled media at the club's Shirecliffe training complex. "I want to carry on my run in the team here, and put my name back out there and show people what I can actually do. Obviously that applies to Sunderland - they hold my registration and we'll have to see what happens."
 
Halford's appearance statistics - after 163 appearances for Colchester, subsequent spells at Reading, Sunderland and Charlton Athletic on loan totalled only 26 - certainly serve as evidence to his admission that his star seems to have faded after the early promise shown at Layer Road, where he picked up the club's Young Player of the Year award and made his debut for England Under-20s.
 
Now 24, Halford has commanded around £6m in transfer fees during his career and admits he is not sure whether Sunderland are prepared to cut their losses and allow him to join United, or any other club.
 
"You never know what's around the corner - but at the moment, I am totally focused on Sheffield United and trying to achieve promotion," he added.