Sheffield United manager gives his thoughts on the likely success of a proposal to complete the Premier League season by the end of June

The plan, which is designed to avoid the possibility of players whose contracts expire this summer being forced to negotiate extensions to their present deals, is among a number of options set to be tabled at tomorrow’s teleconference, called to decide the organisation’s latest response to the coronavirus crisis.

Although he has yet to publicly state his own position, Wilder is known to advocate fulfilling the 2019/20 fixture schedule and then rearranging next term’s diary rather than abandoning the present campaign.

United were seventh in the table, only five points behind fourth placed Chelsea with a game in hand on Frank Lampard’s side, when the sport was placed into lockdown because of social distancing measures introduced last month to try and curb the spread of the disease.

"I'm sure that we will adjust accordingly,” Wilder replied, when asked for his thoughts on the matter. “I think for the integrity of the competition and competitions, especially the top end of English football and European football, they'll want to finish the season.”

FIFA, the world governing body, has stated it will allow players set to become free agents on June 30 to continue playing for their clubs beyond that date. But its taskforce investigating the issue caused by the pandemic acknowledged this was only a guideline. Leon Clarke, Ricky Holmes and Jack Rodwell are among those in the closing stages of their agreements with United, while loanees Dean Henderson, Panos Retsos, Mo Besic and Richairo Zivkovic are set to rejoin their parent clubs shortly. However United are confident those four will be allowed to remain in South Yorkshire until the season comes to an end.

"I believe that there will be an ability next year to adjust, with international breaks, with moving a few games into midweek,” Wilder, speaking during an interview with one of the PL’s broadcast rights holders, added. “We have that ability through organisation and planning to finish this season off.

"But only as everybody said, and I'll reiterate that, when it's safe to do so for everybody. And that obviously we have to take our lead off the government and what they suggest and want us to do."

Although teams in Germany have now resumed training, senior figures within the domestic game believe it will be a number of weeks before they receive similar permission. Billy Sharp, the United captain, has detailed how Wilder’s squad were initially told they would be working from home for around a fortnight when they were forced to vacate the Steelphalt Academy last month. United have not competed since beating Norwich City at Bramall Lane on March 7.

If the proposal to finish the season before the start of July is to be implemented, it would require a 14 vote majority when PL clubs cast their votes.

A decision in Scotland to curtail the SPFL season early has led to widespread infighting north of the broder, with Heart of Midlothian chairwoman Ann Budge describing herself as “disillusioned and bitterly disappointed” by the outcome, which could see the Edinburgh outfit relegated if it proved impossible to complete the Premiership season.

"Believe me when I say that I know that you, our supporters, will be equally disappointed and indeed angry,” Budge said. “However, it is now of paramount importance that we do not give up in our efforts to right this wrong. We will continue to fight for this.”

"I have said from the outset that it was imperative that we find a solution that ensures no club is penalised by relegation in a situation where the leagues cannot be finished,” Budge added. “The financial consequences are enormous. Many others agree with that view.”

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