Sheffield United: Chris Wilder says his team can still win promotion as the countdown to Saturday's derby with Leeds United continues

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder points the way

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has told the rest of the Championship to write-off his team at their peril ahead of Saturday's Yorkshire derby against Leeds.

Wilder’s side have slipped from first to eighth in the table after averaging only a point per game since October’s 2-1 victory at Elland Road.

But Wilder, who is waiting to discover if Jamal Blackman will be declared fit for the meeting with Paul Heckingbottom’s side, believes doubts about their top six credentials will prove a response from United’s players.

“If people want to write us off, which I’m sure they are doing, then that’s up to them,” he said. “If they want to say that’s us done, they can do that if they want. It’s fine by me. But I know the spirit that’s in this group and I know they can go again. I know better than anyone the character of these boys.”