Sheffield United to 'accelerate' contract talks with key players

The Blades hierarchy were engaged in dialogue with the duo and their representatives earlier in the Spring - but talks were temporarily placed on the back burner amid football's shutdown due to the Covid-19 crisis.

But with Premier League clubs now making preparations to return to competitive action next month as part of Project Restart, Wilder says that talks will resume in due course.

Wilder said: "I said during the last interview we did that with the situation we were all in at the time - I think it must have been two or three weeks ago - I didn't think it was the right time to be discussing with agents and players and approaching players about their contractual situation.

"Obviously, behind the scenes, there has been work done on so many fronts from contact between myself, Steve (Bettis - chief executive officer) and the board and Carl Shieber (head of football administration). We are always looking at it.

"Hopefully now that the boys are back in full-time training, we can accelerate those discussions with John and a couple of others to resolve those situations.

"The vibe I am getting from the players is that they are as keen as we are to complete those contract talks and committing their future to Sheffield United."

Several leading players have committed their future already in 2020.

Back in March, full-back Enda Stevens agreed fresh terms, committing him at the club until June 2023.

The Blades are agreed a new deal with influential midfielder John Fleck in late February.