Sheffield United will take on newly relegated side Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the League One season, as new boss Chris Wilder looks to get off to the a strong start.

The Blades will be looking to get themselves out of the division at what will be a sixth attempt this coming season. After losing out in 3 play off campaigns since relegation, Wilder will be hoping to lead his club back to the Championship.

A lot of eyes will be on the selection Wilder makes, with plenty of rumours circulating around who the Blades are going to sign in the wake of releasing 10 players and transfer listing 7 more.

With this in mind, FLW writer Lee Connor takes a look at how Sheffield United could line-up on the opening day of the season, in a 4-2-3-1 formation...

GK - George Long

The young goalkeeper has just signed a new deal with the club, and despite still being in his early 20s, Long is one of the players who was a regular in the clubs first season back in League One 5 years ago.

Long looks likely to be the regular number one next season under Wilder, with Mark Howard surplus to requirements.

The young stopper is an excellent prospect and most United fans were pleased when he put pen to paper on his new deal. He will be hoping to repay the clubs faith in him and marshall his back four as required.

RB - John Brayford

The former Derby right back is still one of the star performers in the line up and will be hoping to put a frustrating few seasons behind him due to numerous injuries.

His rampaging runs down the right made him a firm fan favourite when he signed for the club on loan a few seasons ago, and Blades fans will be hoping he can recapture that form.

Chris Wilder will want Brayford at his best and demand everything from him, especially as Brayford is one of the top earners at the Lane.

CB - Kyle McFadzean

With rumours about McFadzean and his future amid him handing in a transfer request, there is high expectation that he will make the move to Bramall Lane.

The centre back began his career with the Blades but failed to make the grade, however he has developed at MK Dons into a solid defender and manager Chris Wilder is clearly a fan.

The Blades need defenders, and McFadzean fits the bill perfectly for what they require.

CB - Curtis Nelson

The Plymouth Argyle centre half is due to see his contract expire shortly although he has been offered new terms, and a host of clubs are said to be interested in him.

Nelson would be ideal for the Blades with his size and athleticism and would be the sort of signing which would excite the Blades fans.

It would be a real coup for Wilder and the Blades if he did manage to sign him, and would definitely offer excellent defensive protection.

LB - Chris Hussey

A new signing down at Bramall Lane, Hussey will be expected to fill the void down the left hand side following the departure of Bob Harris and Jay McEveley.

Hussey has an excellent left foot and recorded a good number of assists for Bury last season, leading him to catch the eye of the Blades and Wilder.

Is Hussey can get off to a good start, Blades fans should take to him and he should be capable of making the left back spot his own.

CDM - Chris Basham

The utility man was one of few to come out with any credit from last seasons disastrous campaign and he will be expected to provide the legs and toughness in the midfield for Wilder.

Basham has an important role to play due to his style of play. He gets about the pitch very well, and although he might not be the most gifted footballer on the ball, he epitomises what Wilder likes his teams to be all about.

Blades fans are keen enough on Basham, and I would fully expect him to be starting on the opening day.

CDM - Ben Whiteman

This could be a toss up between a few and we may well see the Blades make a new signing over the summer, but Ben Whiteman is in with a real chance of nailing down the central midfield spot.

Louis Reed may well have his own say on his young team mate, but overall Whiteman seems to have everything a top midfielder needs.

Pre-season may have a lot to say, but if Whiteman can impress, he may well be the man Wilder goes with on the opening day.

AML - Mark Duffy

New signing Duffy can fill either of the wing slots but he may well be utilised out left in this team, but with license to switch positions with the other winger.

Duffy looks to be a real coup for the Blades following his capture from Birmingham, after impressing on loan with Burton last season.

If the little winger can replicate some of the form he showed last season, then the Blades might well have a little superstar on their hands.

AMR - Chris Burke

The former Birmingham City midfielder is out of contract and would be an excellent signing for the Blades.

Burke is much like Duffy on the opposite wing, with tricks galore and the ability to beat his man with ease. He has experience aplenty and may well be keen on a move to the Blades as he looks towards the final stages of his career.

He would offer a flexibility to Wilder in his selections and should he sign, it would be a very exciting signing indeed.

CAM - Che Adams

Playing Che Adams in a number 10 role might seem an odd choice for some Blades fans, but with Duffy and Burke alongside, there would be excellent flexibility among the three.

Adams was excellent for United last season in a more advanced role for the Blades, and many seeing him as a forward, I firmly believe in a free role he would excel.

His pace, strength, and all round game could make him lethal in a number 10 role, and he would be an excellent option for Wilder ahead of the returning Stefan Scougall.

FWD - Billy Sharp

Completing the line-up is Billy Sharp, who scored over 20 goals last season and deserves his chance as captain next term for the Blades.

He guarantees goals in League One, and will be integral to the Blades and their promotion hunt. Sharp brings energy with him as well as the goals, and it is easy to see why Wilder has awarded him the captaincy.

If Sharp can replicate his form of last year and get the three behind him playing well, then the Blades could be an unstoppable force over the course of the season.

Blades fans, what do you think? What would be your 11 for the opening day? Let us know in the comments!