Steel City derby: Sheffield United's '˜Touchline manager' Wilder shuns derby mind games after earning FA reprieve

Wilder was sent to the stands after an incident in the away technical area during the Blades’ 1-0 weekend home reverse to Norwich City – and faced an anxious wait to see if he would be handed further punishment and a potential touchline ban after referee Scott Duncan submitted his match report.

Wilder confirmed: “I am okay and I was delighted the FA took the right approach and decision as far as I was concerned.

“I should not have stepped into the technical area. I spoke to the referee afterwards and he is a ref I have got a lot of respect for and he understood.

“I am not a serial abuser of fourth officials, referees and linesmen and am not sent to the stands every ten games. I think they recognise that.

“I am a touchline manager and head every ball and make every tackle. But I do not think the players will be able to hear me come Sunday afternoon, with the noise that is going to be flying around Hillsborough from both sets of supporters!

“But I would rather be there than sat in the stands, most definitely.”

Wilder’s worries may have eased regarding his possible touchline absence, but he does have significant other concerns on the injury front, with the Blades chief facing a potential striker crisis.

Billy Sharp and Leon Clarke were late withdrawals last weekend and are facing a race against time to be fit.

Ched Evans was the Blades’ sole fit forward on Saturday with Caolan Lavery and James Hanson also sidelined – with the pair again missing this weekend.

It is a situation Wilder could have done without, but he insists that it will not inhibit his side’s attacking instincts.

He added: “We have a few injuries and issues, we totally understand that. We are disappointed and frustrated because we are not at full strength, especially at the top of the pitch.

“With the players we had available, it was an outstanding effort (on Saturday). I have absolutely no qualms if we miss players, that is part and parcel of where we are at. Whoever gets the shirt and whatever team I put out will give everything to go and get a win.”

Acknowledging the Owls are favourites, he added: “I think we are a dangerous team to play against on Sunday, no doubt about it. (But) I am not playing mind games with anybody – they have been in this division for a long time and done fantastically well over the past two years under Carlos (Carvalhal), who seems a real genuine guy.

“But from their point of view, they have been at the top of the division for the last two years and will be looking to get out of the division. That is not putting any undue pressure on that. Sheffield Wednesday are clear favourites,”

The potential absence of life-long Unitedite Sharp for a second weekend may raise the spectre of the Blades being without a Steel City link in their starting line-up on Sunday, but Wilder insists his players are fervently passionate in their desire to do the red and white half of Sheffield proud – with or without their captain.

He added: “There is going to be a lot of talk about myself and Billy, but that needs to be taken out of it. Because this represents as much to all of our players in terms of playing for this club.

“The players will definitely feel the passion, especially if they have been living in the city for a number of years.

“Going back to my formative years under Dave Bassett, we had a lot of London boys in and you could never say to them that they did not feel the passion of a derby. You are in and around, you are representing your club and supporters.

“We want to make new memories and heroes out of the players.”