Nothing simple about Blades' run-in for Wilder

The League One leaders took another significant step towards promotion and quite possibly the title with a 4-2 midweek win at Swindon Town, but not before being handed a scare by the League One strugglers. With relegation-threatened duo Charlton and Oldham next up for the Blades, who must also play the likes of Coventry, Port Vale and Chesterfield before season’s end, it represented a useful exercise according to the Bramall Lane chief.

Wilder, whose side hold a nine-point buffer over third-placed Bolton in the automatic promotion positions, said: “I do not look at anything in terms of league positions as all sorts of things are happening for clubs in any part of the division.

“Swindon were fighting for their lives and when they got themselves back to 2-2, they could smell a little bit of anxiety in our play.

“There are possibly just two or three clubs who are here or there and apart from that, everyone has something to fight for.”

It was a case of deja vu for fifth-placed Bradford City, who recorded their 18th draw of the campaign in a 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic – with boss Stuart McCall refusing to gloss over his side’s below-par second half display.

The City chief was the first to admit that his side were fortunate to come away with a point, with some unfortunate injury news regarding wingman Alex Gilliead compounding matters.

The Newcastle loanee is likely to be sidelined for at least a month after being injured at Coventry on Saturday, with the prognosis regarding his hamstring injury worse than first feared.

Nicky Law is due to return to training today, while Alex Jones (knee) will be monitored ahead of the weekend home game with Swindon Town.

McCall said: “Alex’s hamstring is worse than we first thought after getting it scanned.

“It is a high-grade tear and he will be out for at least a month.

“But that is life and he will hopefully make a speedy recovery and be back at the back end of the season when we need everyone available.”