'We want to compete and want it to be real' – Chris Wilder reveals Sheffield United approach with Newcastle United on the horizon

Wilder's men take on Aston Villa this week ahead of a trip to St James’s Park on Sunday, with Steve Bruce’s Magpies having to wait a little longer for their first outing since early March.

And Wilder believes his players are ready for whatever the top flight run in has to throw at them – including United, who are looking to secure their Premier League status in the final nine games.

“The carrot of what the players can achieve is dangling there – we will be positive and on the front foot,” said Wilder, whose side take on United at 2pm, Sunday.

“Nothing I have seen from the players physically or mentally has suggested we are going to back off or change our approach.

“I always thought this would be a pause in the season rather than the end. So we have kept ourselves right and the players have made sure they haven’t fallen off the edge of a cliff.”

Speaking about the season hiatus to the Mail via Zoom, Wilder continued: “I have found it really difficult. I have been working since I was an apprentice at 16.

“I have always been looking at the next fixture or season as a manager for the last two decades. Football people are planners.

“Not knowing what was happening was hard. I am unashamedly hands on. I have my fingerprints all over the football club. I am not a head coach. I need to be involved. You try not to show it but I have found it desperately frustrating.

“We want to compete and want it to be real. It won’t be real as the fans won’t be there. That’s the big downside.

“Some big experiences are going to be taken away from us but that’s a small price to pay. The players recognise it as a brilliant opportunity. They are focused knowing they can turn an excellent year into a memorable one.”