Why Chris Wilder is confident his Sheffield United players will be ready if/when Premier League season resumes

But Chris Wilder remains confident that his Sheffield United side will return from their enforced break and finish the Premier League season strongly - if and when they are given the opportunity.

All professional football in the country has been suspended until late April at the earliest, with the decision to scrap the 'end-of-season' date hypothetically meaning the current season could be concluded at any point.

This summer's Euros have been moved back to 2021 and Wilder's men are seventh in the table, with a game in hand on fifth-placed Manchester United.

"If it means not going to Newcastle in front of 50,000 people, not playing Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final in front of 30,000, not going to Manchester United in front of 75,000, it will be a disappointment," Wilder admitted.

"But there is a bigger picture here in terms of public health. We put that in perspective and so it won’t wreck our season.

"When football resumes, I’m positive we will be able to finish the season on a high."

United's first-team squad have each been sent a Wattbike to their homes, to keep them in shape away from their Shirecliffe training base while, to relieve the boredom, Ben Osborn took part in a The Office-style challenge of throwing a cup over his house.

"The players have a responsibility to be ready if and when the season restarts," Wilder added. "I have 100 per cent faith that they will look after themselves."