'We'd love to be an option' – Chis Wilder on Sheffield United interest in Kalvin Phillips
Chris Wilder says Sheffield United have made their pitch to bring Kalvin Phillips back next season, but admits they will face stiff competition to sign him.
The former Leeds United midfielder is on a half-season loan from Manchester City, but has been hampered by injury since.
His three appearances have amounted to 172 minutes, plus stoppage time.
He is close to a return after injuring his knee, but with little to play for in the final game of the season, the Blades have no reason to rush him back at home to Hull City on Saturday.
"We've got a couple coming back, Kalvin's really close to being involved," said manager Wilder.
"I think if there was something unbelievable to play for, Sam McCallum would come into the equation as well. But I think, obviously, an eye on next season more than anything. Not worth taking that gamble.
"Jamie Shackleton is playing in the 21s on Monday as well."
Signing Phillips on another loan is a target of Wilder's, but he admits it will not be easy.
"He'll have a lot of people still after him," he said. "It was a fabulous move that (chief executive) Steve Bettis put together, with Man City, from our point of view.
"It (the cost) is nowhere near what people think it is.
"We brought a really good pro in.
“He was unfortunately unlucky with his injury. He passed the medical and it was a tough medical as well, like they all are.
"He's not played as much as he wanted to play but he’s been in around the place.
"I've spoken to him and I just basically said to him, as basic as this: ‘If we are an option, we'd love to be an option for you, your agent and your parent club.’
"He certainly ticks the boxes, in terms of personality and characteristics, the character that we're after on the pitch as well as off of it."