Sheffield Wednesday striker Marcus Tudgay has earned himself legendary status at Hillsborough with three goals - two of them victory clinchers - in his last four steel city derby appearances against arch rivals United.

But individual glory and the bragging rights of supporters are the last things on Tudgay's mind as he prepares for what will be Wednesday's most important match against United since the striker joined the Owls from Derby County in January 2006.

When the two teams step out at Hillsborough on Sunday, relegation threatened Wednesday will be battling for their Championship lives after losing their last two games to fall into the drop zone with just three matches of the season remaining.

Tudgay, who recently signed a new deal to keep him at Hillsborough until 2013, said: "I know how much this fixture means to the fans and the Sheffield lads in our squad, and it's a great game to score a goal in - but the most important thing by far on Sunday will be getting three points that can help get us out of the bottom three.

"It will be a high tempo game played in a fantastic atmosphere, which is always the case, but with the position we're in the game could have an extra edge and we've got to be careful not to let the occasion get to us and start flying in with silly tackles or get involved in scraps. We have got to stay absolutely focused, that will be vital."

Having lost 3-2 at Bramall Lane earlier in the season, revenge will be sweeter than ever if Wednesday can get the win they want, and supporters will be doubly delighted as that would end the slim hope that United have of reaching the Play-Offs.

But without a win in four matches, and with a season-long problem in the goalscoring department, the Owls need to somehow find the sort of form that can not only lead to a win against United but also provide precious points from their last two outings - at promotion chasing Cardiff City and then at home to survival rivals Crystal Palace.

To date this season Tudgay has hit nine goals, but he has managed only one in his last 16 appearances and admitted: "I've been a bit stale in front of goal and that's disappointed me. But there's no bigger game than the Sheffield derby to score in, so hopefully I can get a goal that helps us to a very, very important victory."

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