Sheffield United are looking to complete something quite remarkable this season, with Chris Wilder’s squad in firm contention for automatic promotion with five fixtures of the campaign remaining.  

The Blades have punched about their weight ever since they returned to the Championship in 2017, but this season they are the real deal, finding themselves in a fierce battle with Leeds for the second automatic promotion spot.

So, the impossible now seems possible for the Blades, with Wilder’s side even having the play-offs to fall back on if they fail in their top-two push. But with Premier League football potentially on the horizon, some at Bramall Lane will be feeling the heat and worrying about their long-term future.

Wilder is a loyal manager who will keep faith with a lot of the players that have put the Blades in this position, but those on the fringe like Kean Bryan might be forced to look for other clubs.

The 22-year-old arrived at Bramall Lane on a three-year deal back in the summer, ending his association with Manchester City in a bid to secure himself some invaluable first-team football.

Injuries have played their part, but to date, he’s managed just one senior appearance in the red and white of Sheffield United.

That came in the embarrassing defeat to Barnet in the FA Cup, with Wilder using other options in the Championship.

Jack O’Connell, John Egan, Chris Basham and Richard Stearman are all players that would take the step up into the Premier League with the Blades, whilst Enda Stevens has proved to be a reliable alternative in a back-three – and then Wilder could even strengthen in the summer, which would only push Bryan further out of the picture.

What’s been an exciting season for the Blades has become a frustrating one for the 22-year-old, who hasn’t had his wish for first-team football on a regular basis.

There are going to be twists and turns in the race for promotion and nothing is assured, but if Sheffield United get to the Premier League, Bryan looks like he might be one of Wilder’s first casualties.