Sheffield United send Scotland their best wishes ahead of crucial Euro clash with Serbia

Two United players - Oli McBurnie and Oliver Burke - have travelled to the Balkans for the winner-takes-all clash in Belgrade, with a third, midfielder John Fleck, only missing out through injury.

Although he admits the international break has not come at “an ideal time” for United, who have yet to win in the Premier League this term, Wilder is convinced the confidence boost the trio will receive should Clarke’s squad qualify could help their performances on the domestic stage.

“Being involved in matches like this can only be of benefit,” he said, despite admitting the prospect of losing more players to injury is a concern. “Coming up against the best in the world, being exposed to different ways of doing things and different ways of playing can only help.”

“I know how proud these boys are, representing their countries,” Wilder added. “I know what it means to them and it would be brilliant if they can get there - for them and, I really do believe, us as well.”

United midfielder Sander Berge’s hopes of winning his 24th cap for Norway against Israel last night were dashed when health officials in Oslo ordered their game against Willibald Ruttensteiner’s side to be cancelled.

The decision, taken because of Covid-19 concerns, was taken only hours before the friendly match was set to kick-off at the Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo.

Munas Dabbur, the Israeli striker, tested positive for the respiratory disease earlier this week but was not deemed to have been in close contact with any of his team mates before being placed in isolation.

Pal Bjerketvedt, of the Norwegian FA, said: “It is of course sad to cancel a match hours before kick-off. At the same time, it underlines the seriousness of the situation we are in.”

“Now the health authorities are unsure of the risk of spreading after an outbreak of infection in the Israeli squad and recommend cancelling the match, we will follow this.”

Speaking before his team’s visit to Chelsea last weekend, Wilder questioned the wisdom of the decision to continue staging friendly and Nations League internationals during the pandemic.

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