The two players Sheffield United defender John Egan is delighted he doesn't have to mark

Rather it was the knowledge he is unlikely to ever mark David McGoldrick or Lys Mousset which pleased the Sheffield United centre-half, having watched them finalise their preparations for tomorrow’s game against West Ham.

Although Wilder warned the visitors are now a “different animal” to the side his team faced in October - after winning two of their last nine outings under Manuel Pellegrini, the Londoners travel north with an unblemished record under his successor David Moyes - Egan insisted United have progressed too since drawing 1-1 in the capital three months ago when he previewed the latest assignment on United’s Premier League agenda.

Most notably Mousset, whose second-half goal cancelled-out Robert Snodgrass’ opener for the hosts and has since emerged as McGoldrick’s regular strike-partner.

“Lys is really good,” Egan said. “He’s explosive and he’s infectious around the place.

“He’s a great lad and he’s shown what a great player he can be for us out there as well.

“It’s up to him now to get that consistency because, when he does, he’ll be a real nightmare for defenders. I know because he’s such a handful in training.”

Mousset, an intoxicating combination of power, unpredictability and pace, has emerged as arguably United’s best signing of last summer’s transfer window since arriving from AFC Bournemouth. Despite being used sparingly in Dorset, the Frenchman has seized the opportunity his move to Bramall Lane offered by becoming one of Wilder’s go-to options in attack. It would be a surprise, given the problems he caused West Ham earlier this term, if he does not start a match which could see United climb to fifth in the table.

Yet, as Egan conceded, Mousset is not the finished article. There are still question marks about his fitness levels and ability to produce back to back performances. After troubling Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Mousset spent United’s next match, at Liverpool, on the periphery of the game before being withdrawn in the second-half. Still, at only 23 years of age and a relative newcomer to regular first team action, such capriciousness is probably inevitable.

United have been anything but, entering the 22nd round of competition in eighth after winning three and drawing one of their previous six outings before suffering back to back defeats at the hands of the reigning champions and champions elect.

Citing psychological strength as a factor behind what has so far been a successful transition to top-flight football, Egan explained how United’s experiences during their most recent meeting with West Ham had proved critical to their development.

“First-half, we probably weren’t at our best down there,” he said. “The second-half though, I thought, was really good. You are going to get days when it doesn’t always go your way but we showed we could kick-on.

“It showed we could take out game up a level and it gives you confidence, when you can stay in the game, even if you’re not playing so well.”

Which brought Egan neatly to the subject of McGoldrick who, despite remaining without a domestic goal since April, remains a near permanent fixture in Wilder’s starting eleven. The former Ipswich Town marksman was last on target in April, when his brace against Hull City, coupled with Leeds’ loss to Brentford, effectively sealed United’s promotion from the Championship.

Cerebral rather than confrontational, his speed of thought, spatial awareness and positional sense makes him an effective foil not only for the more impetuous Mousset but also, Egan insisted, every other attacker in Wilder’s squad.

“Didzy is a great player,” Egan said of his fellow Republic of Ireland international. “He gets between the lines, he turns people and I’m sure that goal will come for him.

“His game isn’t just about scoring anyway. He brings so much more to the table and we all love him.

“Didzy hasn’t let the goals things affect him and, for me, that’s a mark of the man. He just keeps his head down and gets on with the job. Gets on with doing the things he does so well.”