Joe Allen has admitted that he misses Leon Britton since his summer switch away from the Swans

Britton departed the Liberty Stadium in the summer for Sheffield United and now Allen will come face to face with him on Saturday when the two sides meet at Bramall Lane.

And by then Sheffield United could be on their third manager of the season with Gary Speed expected to be named Wales boss this week after a very short tenure in the Blades hot seat.

"I miss Leon very much," Allen told the Evening Post.

"He was a massive role model to me personally, from the days when I used to watch him as a fan at the Vetch through to when I was training and playing alongside him.

"I have been spoiled for choice when it comes to midfielders I've played with, but he is probably the one I have watched most and modelled myself on.

"I remember watching him in the League Two days when he first came on loan.

"He is a similar stature to me and a similar style of player, so I was gutted when he left.

"Things haven't gone as well as I'm sure Leon and the club would have expected," Allen added.

"They are having a tough time. I think they are under a lot of pressure as a team and hopefully we can keep that going this weekend.

"I'm sure Leon is enjoying it up there, but I think if he was honest he would also say he misses Swansea having been here so long.

"As a person and as a player, he is certainly missed by us.

"It will be good to see him again — this is a fixture we looked for at the start of the season after he'd left.

"For me it will be a massive test to play against a player I've looked up to for so long.

"Leon's a great passer and he works very hard off the ball. They are things I try to emulate.

"Someone like Britts isn't the kind of player you oust from the team," he said.

"In that sense it has probably benefited me, but I was still sad that he left."

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