Sheffield United: Manager Chris Wilder issues a goalscoring challenge to his midfielders as Blades chase a play-off place

Welsh international Lee Evans scored two impressive volleys as United dispatched top-six rivals Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane on Tuesday evening, ramping up the importance of Saturday’s home clash against sixth-placed Millwall even further.

And after John Fleck scored United’s equaliser in their eventual 3-2 defeat at South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley last weekend, Wilder emphasised the importance of goals from midfield if they are to be successful with their system of three in midfield, rather than playing with a ‘No.10’ behind the strikers.

“Lee is a technical player, a young player that sometimes makes daft decisions but wants to learn,” Wilder said.

“He does have that ability to get goals. We’ve looked at the stats and if we are playing three in midfield, then it’s an area that has to produce more goals. Flecky scored one on Saturday, John Lundstram has been close two or three times over the last couple of games and Lee has got a couple against Boro.

“They need to chip in... we can’t just rely on the Leon Clarkes and Billy Sharps of this world to get our goals at the top of the pitch. We need to spread the goals out, so it was good for Lee to get a couple on Tuesday night.”

United remained ninth in the table after beating Boro, but can go level on points with Millwall with victory over Neil Harris’ side this weekend.