Sheffield United believe the overwhelming majority - if not all - of their first team squad are prepared to press ahead with ‘Project Restart’ as the country’s leading clubs canvass opinion among players about plans to resume the Premier League season next month.

Although the likes of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Danny Rose of Newcastle have criticised the idea of lifting the ban on fixtures until the coronavirus crisis passes, senior figures at Bramall Lane are confident those under Chris Wilder’s command support proposals to complete the competition’s remaining 92 matches rather than use ‘sporting merit’ to calculate final placings.

United were seventh in the table when English football was placed into lockdown two months ago; only five points outside the Champions League qualification positions and preparing for an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Speaking last week, Wilder confirmed he would not compel any member of his team to declare themselves available for selection if they felt unsafe. But after gauging the thoughts of United’s dressing room during a series of video meetings, the 52-year-old is convinced there is no major opposition to the idea of returning to competition - possibly as soon as next month.

Like all top-flight clubs, United are briefing players on the measures they will implement to try and protect them from the disease if the ban on sporting competition is lifted.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are building a drive-thru Covid-19 testing centre at their training base, with United also plotting wholesale and regular screening sessions.