Sheffield United can go top of the Championship for at least 24 hours tonight if they beat Fulham at Bramall Lane.

The Blades beat Burton on Friday but the win was marred by the horrific broken leg that influential midfielder Paul Coutts suffered and boss Chris Wilder has now called on the fnas to rally behind the team.

Unfortunately, the nature of the injury means the 29-year old is expected to miss the entire season and the manager wants the fans to really get behind whoever replaces him against Fulham tonight.

“This should be, for me, one of the best atmospheres of the season in terms of the supporters pushing to team on through this period,” he told the Sheffield Star.

“The backing whether it’s Lunny (John Lundstram), whether it’s Bash (Chris Basham) or whether it’s Sammy (Carruthers) who plays in there, they need to feel to warmth of the supporters. It’s big that they get that backing and that freedom to go and play.”

Wilder's men have been in fine form at home this season and he thinks the fans appreciate the way this team plays. “If they give 100 per cent effort, they will always get 100 per cent backing.”

The Verdict

This is a big test for the Blades tonight. Fulham are a good side, but they will be expected to win given the league positions.

However, if they don't, many will cite the absence of Coutts and so it's easy to see why Wilder wants the supporters to be really up for it tonight to help the team – which they will be.

As he says, there's a real connection between the fans and the players and the cruel injury to Coutts will only inspire the whole club even more to go for what would be a remarkable consecutive promotion.

Thoughts, Blades fans? Let us know in the comments below.