Sheffield United: Done stakes claim for key role

Matt Done (left) and fellow forward Marc McNulty are both vying for places in attack

Done scored twice during yesterday’s victory over a Murcia Representative XI in La Manga after also claiming a brace against Stocksbridge Park Steels last weekend.

Wilder, whose side continues its preparations for August 6th’s curtainraiser at Bolton Wanderers, said: “Of course there are places up for grabs and it’s important that everyone makes a good impression.

“We want to see people working hard and we want to see people pushing to get in (the starting eleven). That’s the attitude you’ve got to have every single time you pull on a United jersey. In training, in these matches and when season itself starts. Yes, we take notice of things like that.”

With Marc McNulty returning to Bramall Lane following a loan spell at Portsmouth, competition for places in United’s attack is fierce with the Scot, Che Adams and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also vying to partner captain Billy Sharp. Despite being deployed at wing-back by his predecessor Nigel Adkins, Wilder has confirmed Done will be used in a more advanced position next term.

“We want people doing what they are good at,” Wilder said. “We don’t want to be shifting people about all the time. Everyone has got to muck-in together but, as I’ve made clear before, we don’t want to be trying to put square pegs into round holes. That doesn’t do anybody any good.”