Sheffield United: Blades finalise their wanted list

Swansea City's Oli McBurnie and Brentford's Neal Maupay are understood to feature among those identified as potential new signings, after the 51-year-old led United to promotion from the Championship last term.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, a member of the team which finished second in the table behind winners Norwich City, is another player United are chasing having confirmed his desire to return to South Yorkshire.

Although he has refused to elaborate on his plans for what is expected to be a busy window, Wilder is believed to be focusing on ensuring United possess enough firepower to compete at the highest level. With former loanees Gary Madine and Scott Hogan returning to their parent clubs earlier this month, Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick are the only two recognised centre-forwards now at his disposal while Kieran Dowell's departure means there is also a vacancy for an attacking midfielder.

Together with Henderson, the Everton youngster is set to represent England under-21's at the forthcoming European Championships in Italy and San Marino.

Wilder and his coaching staff, including assistant Alan Knill and head of recruitment Paul Mitchell, met before Monday's play-off final between Aston Villa and Derby County to finalise their strategy in the market.

Despite the on-going row between co-owners Kevin McCabe and HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chief executive Steve Bettis confirmed earlier this month that Wilder had received the go-ahead to bring in reinforcements after leading United back to the highest level for the first time since 2007.

A long-standing admirer of McBurnie and Maupay, the estimated £170m windfall clubs reaching the top-flight receive means they could now be within United's reach although Wilder has previously stated he is willing to "walk away" from any deal he believes does not make financial sense.

Steve Clarke has indicated that John Fleck still has a bright future with Scotland despite being forced to miss their forthcoming games against Cyprus and Belgium because he is getting married.

The United midfielder is one of three players Clarke, who was appointed earlier this month, has been forced to leave out of his squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers because of wedding commitments.

"He's had it booked for two years now," Clarke, explaining Fleck's absence, said. "We wish him well in that. Those things take a lot of planning and organising."