As the season edges towards its conclusion, Sheffield United's return to the Championship via automatic promotion is seemingly inevitable.

Under the careful management of Chris Wilder, Sheffield United have been an unstoppable force in League One and they already look well prepared for the Championship.

However, despite sitting at the top of the table by a comfortable margin, some questions have been raised about the quality of Sheffield United's squad.

It is looking increasingly likely that Chris Wilder will use the summer transfer window to further improve the quality of his squad ahead of next season.

The expected turnover of players could lead to some players despite being competent at League One level leaving to make space for new arrivals, who are more inclined to thrive at Championship level.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at TWO Sheffield United players Chris Wilder needs to dispense with as soon as possible....

 

Marc McNulty

Since joining Sheffield United from Livingstone, 24-year-old striker Marc McNulty has made over fifty appearances for the South Yorkshire side.

However, this season, Marc McNulty has found himself further down the pecking order behind Billy Sharp, Caolan Lavery and new arrival James Hanson.

Chris Wilder allowed Marc McNulty to leave the South Yorkshire club temporarily in September when he joined League 1 rival Bradford City on loan until January.

Since returning to Sheffield United, McNulty has been used very sparingly by Chris Wilder as he has made just two appearances, one of which saw him substituted at half-time, the other he came off the bench for the final ten minutes.

With Chris Wilder preferring his other striking options, Wilder may feel that Marc McNulty will be a player to dispense with in order to create space to bring in new signings in the summer.

Leon Clarke

When veteran striker Leon Clarke joined Sheffield United from Bury, it was expected that the vastly experienced striker would play a pivotal role for Sheffield United this season.

However, the 32-year-old striker has struggled to replicate his goalscoring form from last season with just two goals and an assist in eighteen League 1 appearances.

A string of injuries has prevented Leon Clarke from settling at the South Yorkshire club and really challenging for a starting place in Sheffield United's first team.

Like McNulty, Leon Clarke's future at the club remains unclear especially considering the South Yorkshire side's inevitable promotion to the Championship and the strikers that have already been linked to the club such as Lee Gregory and Sam Gallagher.

Although Chris Wilder has supported Leon Clarke through his injury problems, to be competitive in the Championship, Leon Clarke may be a player Wilder decides to dispense with to bring in a more reliable Championship-ready striker.