Sheffield United: Chris Wilder is braced for a series of tough battles during the transfer window

Speaking ahead of one of the most important recruitment drives in the recent history of Bramall Lane, Wilder acknowledged he wants to focus on "quality rather than quantity" as his club prepares for its first taste of top-flight football since 2007.

But his preference for "hungry" players with a "point to prove" rather than journeymen means United's negotiation team are braced for s series of gruelling battles during the latest window, which reopens tomorrow.

"Good footballers always attract attention," Wilder said. "We know the type of people we want and, because of what we think they're capable of, I doubt we're going to be the only ones interested in them or looking at them."What we're not going to do is just bring people in for the sake of it. We believe we're going to be an attractive proposition and a place people are going to want to come to."Wilder has already compiled a list of potential new signings, with players from the younger end of the age spectrum and the potential to grow in value at its core."There's lots of hard work ahead," Wilder added. "Nothing ever comes easy and we want to make sure we get the right people to help improve what is already a very good group."