Chris Wilder clarifies Sheffield United's position on striker

With a new centre-forward arriving at Bramall Lane only 24 hours after the Republic of Ireland international had cleared his locker, it created the impression that Sheffield United were preparing to cut their losses on a player who, for a couple of days during the close season at least, was the club’s record transfer signing.

But appearances, particularly at a club which has made such rapid progress as United, can be deceptive.

Indeed Chris Wilder used his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace to clarify Robinson’s position within his squad. Not once but twice.

“Absolutely, he is part of our long term plans,” the United manager said. “He started in great fashion, it’s his first year in the Premier League, he’s learning, he’s played cameo parts and made starts at (Manchester) City and Liverpool.

“He’s learning all the time but, looking at him and what’s best for him, this is a good move for us as a club and a good move for Callum.

“Really, there’s no downside at all.”

“The decision was made by me in conjunction with Callum,” Wilder added. “He has to force his way through four really good players here at the moment.

“He sees his future here with us but he’s excited about going to help out West Brom in what he hopes, and I’m sure will be, a successful second half of the season there.”

Wilder has always maintained that Robinson, together with fellow summer signings Oli McBurnie and Lys Mousset, will grow in stature as his career develops. But with Zivkovic and a resurgent Billy Sharp edging him back down the pecking order, United took the decision that regular Championship football, rather than sporadic appearances at top-flight level, would be best for Robinson’s education.

Crucially, given the psychological demands competing at the highest level places upon players, Wilder has placed the 24-year-old with a club chasing automatic promotion from the Championship. Slaven Bilic’s side are second in the table, two points behind leaders Leeds.

“Callum is a young player we identified a number of years ago,” Wilder, who spent around £7m prising him away from Preston North End in July, said. “He’s going to be a player here for a number of years.

“We thought it was in the best interests of his development that he gets regular football. There was a lot of interest and that opportunity came in the Championship, with a great manager and a great club.

“We’ve got to think of how we best develop him and the future.”

Zivkovic, who has been playing his trade in China with Changchun Yatai, travelled to South Yorkshire earlier this week to finalise his own loan move. Previously of Ajax, the Dutchman scored 12 goals in 19 appearances for the former Super League champions last term.