Sheffield United boss makes Premier League prediction

Seventh in the table with only 10 matches of their season remaining, and with a game in hand on many of their top six rivals, United will climb to fifth if they beat Newcastle this weekend.

Having also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where Arsenal stand between them and a visit to Wembley, United face a demanding end to the campaign.

But having contested four fewer matches than at this stage last year, when they gained automatic promotion from the Championship, Wilder believes his squad are both mentally and physically equipped to cope with the pressure.

“We are ready and set,” he said. “We’re conditioned from the Championship and we’ve always come on strong in the last two or three seasons when we’ve needed to.

“We work hard in training and the conditioning is done to a high level. Obviously the Premier League is at a different intensity. But we’re ready and we’ve not let been down by the shape the players are in.

“We’ll deal with the fixtures in front of us and try to get the maximum out of them.”

Describing fatigue, when there is something to play for at least, as a “state of mind”, Wilder has refuted suggestions he could prioritise trying to qualify for either the Champions League or the Europa League over the clash with Mikel Arteta’s side.

“It’s full tilt for both, on to the next game, that how it has to be,” he said. “It’s all to play for in the league and hopefully for a bit longer in the cup.

“Until not so long ago, this club had been out of the spotlight a bit and so we’re delighted and proud of the performances the lads are putting in.”