McGovern is on his way back to Bramall Lane

McGovern, who currently plays for Wilson’s former club Swindon Town, has already served both Sheffield clubs and has been away from the Steel City for five years.

His return will inevitably split supporters but should still offer a timely boost for the Blades who are desperately short of options on the right side of midfield.

Wilson, meanwhile, has also vowed to fight off interest from Fulham in striker Jordan Slew.

The Blades placed a £3m price tag on the England Under-19 international this month after rejecting a starting bid of £500,000 from the Premier League club.

Although there has been a change of manager at Craven Cottage – Martin Jol replacing the departed Mark Hughes – it is understood Slew is still regarded by Fulham as a worthwhile transfer target.

Slew is known to love playing for the club but the opportunity of elevating his career to Premier League status may be too good to turn down.

Speaking yesterday to the Yorkshire Post, Wilson refused to confirm the identity of his new arrival but said that the deal was imminent.

“With a bit of luck, we will have him in the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said. “This position has been a priority because we don’t have anyone there. It’s an area where we are desperate to bring someone in.”

McGovern, now 30, last played for the Blades eight years ago after moving on a five-month loan deal from Celtic.

He played 18 times in the red-and-white stripes but was not offered a permanent deal by then manager Neil Warnock.

After spending a season back in the Scottish Premier League with Livingstone, McGovern returned to England with Sheffield Wednesday in summer 2004 where he won promotion from League One.

The Owls, however, released McGovern 12 months later amid concerns over his injury record.

He subsequently silenced any doubters by performing consistently in League One for both MK Dons and then Swindon.

Wilson, whose own appointment sparked protests at Bramall Lane due to his previous associations with Wednesday, was soon made aware of the need for a new right-winger.

On-loan Danish international Bjorn-Helge Riise filled the spot towards the end of last season but is now back at his parent club Fulham. Winger Mark Yeates remains up for sale and was not involved in the last six games of the club’s ill-fated battle against relegation.

According to Wilson, it is still unclear whether Blades will be forced into selling players this summer.

However, there is undoubtedly pressure to reduce the wage bill and the club will allow some senior players to move on.

Sources at rival clubs, who have been notified about the availability of players, regard the prices currently being quoted as ‘unrealistic’.

According to these sources, the Blades want £1m each for strikers Ched Evans and Darius Henderson, £750,000 for midfielder Stephen Quinn and £500,000 for midfielder Nick Montgomery.

Much is likely to depend on those who are still on seven-figure salaries and whether they express a firm desire to leave. Should the Blades manage to raise significant money via a transfer fee, they may not have to lose as many players.

“We have spoken to a few players about their futures but we don’t know if we need to get rid of players at this stage,” Wilson said.

“Players have to be committed to this club, they have to understand that commitment is paramount at this moment in time if we are to get the club where it was last year, at least.

“People may not be leaving so we have to have a commitment either way. If we enter into negotiations with other clubs we will deal with it accordingly but that situation has not developed yet.

“We want to keep the strongest possible squad but, realistically, we might have to let one or two go.”

Stressing his desire to keep Slew, Wilson said: “Everyone knows there is a situation with Jordan and he thinks there is an opportunity at Fulham but there is not yet because they have not come up with anything that is going to tempt us to let him go.

“We don’t want to let him go, we want him to stay. We are still fighting very hard on that front and we are talking to Jordan and his agent.

“We know he is not the finished article yet, but what boy is at that age? There is still a lot of work to do,” he said. “At the moment, he is going to have to learn. It is a tough league and, like all the young ones in and around our squad, it will be a case of blooding them at the right time.

“We are prepared to try and develop him. If we can do that, and we can keep him at Sheffield United for at least another year or so, I think we will start to see him realise his potential.”

The Blades are to play Blackpool at Bramall Lane on Sunday, July 31, in the club’s final friendly of the pre-season.

The only other pre-season game at home will be against South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday, July 26.