Sheffield United: Derby County among Blades' pre-season tests

Action from the last time Derby County visited Bramall Lane, in February 2011. The two sides will meet in a pre-season friendly in July

Championship promotion hopefuls Derby County, now under the stewardship of former Sheffield Wednesday skipper Nigel Pearson, will provide the opposition for Wilder's first match in charge at Bramall Lane.

The Rams, who last season lost in the play-off semi-finals to eventual winners Hull City, will make the short trip to Sheffield on Wednesday July 27 (7.45pm KO).

Chris Wilder's first match in charge of Sheffield United will be against Stocksbridge Park Steels

It will be the first time the two sides have net since February 2011 when Derby beat United 1-0 at Bramall Lane with Theo Robinson scoring the winner.

Before that, Wilder's first game in charge has Stocksbridge Park Steels providing the opposition at the Look Local Stadium on Saturday July 9 (3pm KO) and another away trip follows two weeks later, with an away training camp for the first team squad in between, when United go to League Two side Grimbsy Town (Saturday July 23, 3pm KO).

Wilder's side will round off their pre-season schedule with a visit to local side Handsworth Parramore on July 29 (7.45pm KO) at Worksop Town FC.

The new League One season kicks off eight days later, with the campaign's fixtures released on June 22.