Sheffield United's plans and positions for the January transfer window

Chris Wilder's Blades have exceeded many supporters’ pre-season predictions and sit firmly in the division’s top ten, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

But Wilder is not a man content to rest on his laurels, and planning is well underway already for the January transfer window.

The manager said recently that he is targeting two or three quality additions, in a window that is not known to produce great value for money.

But which areas of his squad need strengthening?

RIGHT WING BACK

George Baldock has been a revelation for the Blades this season, while his fellow wing-back Kieron Freeman has struggled to make much of an impact at all. He had a couple of chances in the Carabao Cup and failed to take them, and while Baldock is an unbelievable athlete, the amount of ground he covers leaves him susceptible to both injury and fatigue.

RIGHT CENTRE BACK

On a similar theme, Chris Basham has been incredible thus far but his almost-red-card at Norwich highlighted the fact that United have no other player who could play the Basham role in the way Basham does. Phil Jagielka would do a job but, at 37, would likely struggle to play the role with the same intensity. As such, United's pursuit of Mason Holgate, and taking a look at Jack Rodwell, makes sense.

LEFT CENTRE BACK

United are a little more stocked here, as Enda Stevens could shift across with Ben Osborn playing wing-back, but United would still benefit from some more depth in Jack O’Connell’s position, with Kean Bryan yet to play a league game for the Blades

STRIKER

Which manager in world football would turn down another striker? United are looking at Brentford's Ollie Watkins, after enjoying great success in buying players from Griffin Park in the past. Watkins would likely compete with Lys Mousset in his role, with Callum Robinson also on the roster.