Why less is more for Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder - plus a summer window pledge regarding duo

The Blades chief, whose side visit one of his clubs in Watford this weekend, says that his first-team squad will be streamlined next season, having already referenced the fact that 10 to 15 players will be leaving this summer.

One departure was announced earlier this week in the shape of experienced midfielder Tom Davies, who will move on at the end of his deal after an injury-hit time at Bramall Lane.

Wilder said: "We're going to have a tight group next year. We're going to be running with 22 and 23 players, so we're not going to go nowhere near the numbers that we've got this season. And everybody has to be available."

The United boss has announced that the club will take up an option on the contract of Jairo Riedewald, which will keep him at S2 for at least another year.

Speculation is likely to continue to focus on the futures of Gus Hamer and Tyrese Campbell, who are set to enter the final year of their deals, but Wilder has made a firm pledge regarding the pair.

He continued: "Gus is in the team and he's arguably been our best player since I came back last year. He was fantastic. He's had a difficult season, like a lot of the players have this year, but he's an asset.

"He's one of the best players in the Championship. But he's got to decide his future as well.

"And Tyrese was outstanding last year. He's not hit the heights at all this year. So if he re-signs, then great. And then it's up to us and him to get him back to the standards that he set in that season.

"We still think there's a player in there. But as always, the question will be: ‘Do you want to be part of our new journey?’ And if they don't, then we'll do our best to facilitate that and make things happen.

"Without getting mugged off by somebody just offering or low-balling us on a price that we don't think is reasonable for us.”