Promotion is crucial if Blades are to keep striker Evans

The 23-year-old Welsh international took his goal tally to 30 with a 15-minute hat-trick during Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Chesterfield, a result that saw the Blades return to the top two.

With Evans having started 32 games this term, it represents a fantastic return and one that has understandably alerted several clubs from the divisions above.

The Blades striker, signed for £3m from Manchester City three years ago, is out of contract at the end of the season and Wilson admits that makes him an attractive proposition.

He said: “We will see where we are with Ched at the end of the season. All we can do to push our case is go up. If we win promotion, it may well affect our ability to keep our best players.

“But what happens in the summer is not in anyone’s minds here right now. The only thing we are focused on is promotion. The players know that if they achieve that then they will benefit as well as the club.”

Evans’ first hat-trick of his professional career took his recent goal tally to nine from seven games.

Wilson added: “Ched is just phenomenal. It seems to be the case these days that we put him on the pitch and he scores.

“He has a great work ethic and is very much at the top of his game and playing to the potential we expect of him.

“Someone might get a bargain in the summer but we shall do our level best to keep him. Quite frankly, I would not swap him for any other striker in the League. For my money, he is the best in our division.”

Evans’ scoring exploits have led to a host of scouts heading to Blades games this season with Cardiff City and Ipswich Town among those to have been monitoring his form.

The Premier League has also been represented heavily with Stoke City, Wigan Athletic, Swansea City and Norwich City all keeping tabs on Evans this term.

Wilson added: “Of course, it is a great concern about what might happen in the summer and we certainly don’t want to lose Ched.

“But is it all about money for him? I don’t think so. He is really enjoying his football and playing in this team will have an impact on whatever decision he makes at the end of the season. But where we are as a club at the end of the campaign will dictate everything.”

Wednesday’s resounding win over Chesterfield means the Blades have now scored more goals (77) than any other club in the top four divisions of English football.

Evans has understandably attracted all the headlines but the striker is keen to stress it is a team game.

He said: “The cohesion we have as a team right now is very impressive. We have scored nine goals in the last two games, which is a great return and long may that continue. As you can imagine, the camp is buzzing and that is great for me because I would not be getting the goals I am if it was not for the lads around me.”

Evans will be 23 when his contract runs out but due to the Blades having bought the striker rather than developed him then any possible fee will be negligible.