Sheffield United brush off Premier League fixture concerns

Sheffield United are expected to discover who they will face on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season next week, only 22 days before the campaign is scheduled to begin on September 12.
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With the Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc with last term’s fixture programme - which was suspended for three months in March - competition chiefs plan to complete all 380 games before next summer’s European Championships; which begin in June.

Both the PL and the English Football League are set to unveil their calendars on August 21, although it remains unclear if they will be released simultaneously.

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Although the fast turnaround limits the amount of specific preparation Chris Wilder can undertake with his squad, the United manager does not believe that will unfairly handicap his squad.

“Everyone is in the same boat,” Wilder said before professional sport emerged from lockdown in June. “We all have to cope with the same things and there aren’t any surprises anymore.

“There’s too much studying going on for that. We look at everyone and they all look at us.”

“The players know they have to keep in shape and be responsible,” Wilder added. “We all have to play each other twice and so, to be honest, I’ve never been that bothered with how the matches pan out. I know it’s a cliche but, really, there are no easy games in this division. So although I’m interested, of course, it’s only up to a point - in the same way that other people are."

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Former United centre-forward Conor Washington is set to return to England - a year after being released by Wilder.

Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder will learn who his team faces on the opening day of the Premier League season later this month: SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSheffield United's manager Chris Wilder will learn who his team faces on the opening day of the Premier League season later this month: SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder will learn who his team faces on the opening day of the Premier League season later this month: SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Aged 28, Washington scored four times in 22 appearances for Heart of Midlothian last season but was unable to prevent them being relegated from Scotland’s top-flight.

Despite having 12 months left on his contract at Tynecastle, Washington is set to join Charlton Athletic as they prepare for the new League One campaign.

A Northern Ireland international, he represented St Ives Town, Newport County and Peterborough before joining United on a free transfer from Queens Park Rangers.

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