This is how Sheffield United are planning for the final 24 hours of the transfer window

With Fulham ratcheting up their interest in Huddersfield Town’s Terence Kongolo and sources close to Deepdale insisting they expect Ben Davies, who also interested Wilder, to remain with Preston North End until at least January, United are examining ways of reshuffling their starting eleven should Jack Robinson - the only naturally left-footed centre-half currently on the books - also become unavailable for selection.

Although the deadline for signings from overseas and fellow Premier League clubs passed last week, United have another 24 hours to broker deals for players registered with teams in the English Football League.

As The Star first revealed last month, Kongolo attracted Wilder’s interest when it was agreed O’Connell should undergo surgery to cure a long-standing knee complaint. But the Holland international, previously of Feyenoord and AS Monaco, now appears destined to join Fulham instead - ahead of their visit to South Yorkshire on Sunday.

Davies, whose contract at Preston expires at the end of the present campaign, was also identified as a candidate to provide cover and competition for Robinson. However, despite fearing they could lose him for nothing next summer, Alex Neil is thought to be confident of retaining his services.

Although another new arrival can not entirely be ruled-out, United are thought to have begun examining ‘in house’ ways of coping in O’Connell’s absence should Robinson also be sidelined. Ethan Ampadu, on loan from Chelsea, could slot in while shifting Enda Stevens from his usual wing-back role, and handing former Derby County full-back Max Lowe an extended run in the team, is another option. Ampadu, though, could be required to step-in at the heart of United’s rearguard should John Egan become unavailable through either injury or illness.

Robinson is expected to face Scott Parker’s men this weekend, after starting United’s games against Leeds and Arsenal.

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