Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder believes the Blades must strengthen in a number of key areas in the January transfer window despite making an excellent start to the campaign.

Wilder’s side are currently eighth in the table after 16 games played, but despite the team’s success after being promoted to the top flight, the United manager feels the long season will eventually take his toll. He wants up to three players to be brought in:

“It has largely been the group that came up as I believed they deserved an opportunity to show if they could raise their game – and they certainly have done.”

“They need to keep that going, but I do feel there’s two or three positions where we are a little bit light, where we need to strengthen to make sure performances and results are not affected.”

Centre-back is probably one of the areas that Wilder is looking at. Playing a back three means Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell have had to play the majority of games this campaign.

The same could be said of George Baldock and Enda Stevens on the flanks. The pair have started every single league match this season, and Wilder would probably like to have the option of rotating them.

The Blades have struggled for goals as well, but a new addition may come in midfield, rather than up front, where they already have four strikers.