Sheffield United: '˜These players need you,' Chris Wilder tells supporters ahead of Hull City clash

United will enter the meeting with Nigel Adkins' side third in the table after beating both Blackburn Rovers and Millwall, where they scored a dramatic late winner after relinquishing the lead.

With Rovers previously unbeaten on home soil since January, and Wilder refusing to change his starting eleven, the 51-year-old is mindful of the physical and psychological toll those fixture have placed upon his squad.

"I can't stress enough how important the fans are going to be for this one," Wilder said ahead of City's visit. "We won't have much time to get ready and the boys have out a lot in so, because of that, there might be times when they need our supporters to really get behind them and help spur them on.

"I know they'll be putting it all on the line as usual. But when there's that noise in our stadium, when they get that backing, you can't overstate what a boost that gives them."

United's preparations have been complicated by the fact City will enjoy an extra 24 hours of rest, relaxation and tactical analysis after facing Leeds on Tuesday night.

Wilder, whose team returned home from Ewood Park in the early hours of yesterday morning, has repeatedly expressed concerns about what he believes is an in-built imbalance in the schedule.

"It's not ideal but we have to get on with it," the United manager said. "And that's what we'll do. But it will be a tough game, because they (Hull) will be right up for it. That's where our brilliant fans are going to come in.'