STEVE KABBA, the forgotten man, reminded both Sheffield United and Watford fans of his qualities last night.

The striker, making his first appearance at Bramall Lane since moving to Vicarage Road 12 months ago, ran his socks off for Aidy Boothroyd, setting up Nathan Ellington's goal and almost breaking his Watford duck with a first-half strike that forced a smart save from Paddy Kenny.

"It was a hard angle to score from but Paddy is a great keeper and it was a good save," said Kabba. "Hopefully I'll get that first goal soon. I believe in my ability and the gaffer knows what I can do.

"I haven't played many games this season so I'm just glad to be back on the pitch," he added.

Did Kabba feel that performance might kickstart his Hornets career or even put him in the shop window?

"You never know what's around the corner in football. A week ago I wasn't even in the squad and now I have played two games," he said. "I'll just keep working hard and training hard."

Admitted to being touched by the reception he received from the Blades fans, Kabba felt Watford would have been on course for a tenth away win of the season had they scored a second and heaped the pressure on the underfire Bryan Robson.

"I thought the boys did really well," he said. "It was disappointing to concede such a scrappy goal, particularly after the performance we had put in the first half. If we could have got that second goal it would have been a different game. But their fans got behind them in the second half and they came back strong."