Sheffield United give their verdict on John Lundstram

Lundstram, who will miss Boxing Day’s match against Everton through suspension, had been told he could leave United in the New Year after failing to agree an extension to his contract which expires this summer.

But, speaking ahead of the meeting with Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Wilder now appears resigned to the prospect of losing the player for nothing; a situation which will only serve to heighten speculation the former England youth international has already accepted an offer from a rival club.

“There’s been no enquiries for John to either me or the chief executive,” Wilder, who met with Steve Bettis to discuss recruitment policy earlier this afternoon, said. “I don’t think John moves in this window.”

Despite making his displeasure at Lundstram’s conduct known, Wilder has continued to select the 26-year-old in his matchday squads as United attempt to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier league table. With Sander Berge expected to be out for around three month after undergoing surgery to repair a damaged hamstring, Lundstram was set to enjoy another extended run in United’s starting eleven over the Christmas period but his red card during last weekend’s draw with Brighton and Hove Albion has left Wilder, who instructed United’s board to try and sell the Liverpudlian when the market reopens, facing an untimely selection crisis.

Lundstram has made 93 appearances for United, 39 of those coming in the top-flight, after arriving from Oxford in 2017.