Sheffield United: Manager Chris Wilder is confident of new arrivals after making approaches for a number of players

Officials at Bramall Lane have made discreet enquiries about a number of top-flight players since the window re-opened two months ago, with Southampton centre-forward Gallagher and Liverpool youngster Woodburn among those identified as potential signings.

Dismissing concerns about an apparent lack of activity in this summer's market, Wilder predicted it should be easier to pursue those deals now Premier League sides have returned to pre-season training.

"Decisions are being made regarding players who have come back to their Premier League clubs," he said. "They've come back and we've registered interest with some."

Although Wilder has refused to divulge the identities of the players he is chasing, United boast a long-standing interest in Gallagher who spent the second half of last season on loan with Birmingham City. With Ched Evans still expected to join Fleetwood Town on a short-term basis, Wilder wants to recruit two new strikers ahead of August 4th's opener against Swansea City and has sanctioned a bid for another experienced marksman in recent weeks. A centre-half, proven at second-tier level, also features on his wanted list with Brentford's John Egan understood to boasts admirers among Wilder's coaching staff. Egan, capped twice by the Republic of Ireland, made one appearance for United earlier in his career after leaving Sunderland on loan and has previously been linked with a return to South Yorkshire.

Wales attacker Woodburn, aged 18, is viewed as a replacement for his international colleague David Brooks, who has joined AFC Bournemouth. The teenager has made 11 senior appearances for Liverpool but could depart on a temporary basis once Jurgen Klopp assesses his options at Anfield.

Wilder, who has insisted the calibre of players he is chasing means deals are more difficult to broker, began his latest makeover of United's squad by acquiring goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan four weeks ago.

After expressing his confidence that more new faces are set to follow, Wilder is prepared to allow Evans to leave until Christmas, adding: "Ched, it's still the plan. There's a discussion going on with Fleetwood and us about him going there until Christmas. He needs to know and we need to know where he is going. If he doesn't, then he'll come back into us."