WILDER CUT UP ROUGH BY BLADES SLACKERS

CHRIS WILDER has warned his Sheffield United players in yellow peril he could drop them if they slack off.

Ollie Norwood, George Baldock, Chris Basham and John Lundstram are on four bookings and will miss Thursday’s glamour trip to Anfield if they are cautioned tomorrow at Manchester City.

Wilder was unhappy with his side’s lack of aggression in the Boxing Day draw (above) with Watford and says he will axe anyone he suspects of easing up to protect themselves.

The Blades boss said:

“We were all right against Watford because when you dip your toe in like we did, you’re never going to pick up a booking!

“I would have liked to have made a little bit more contact with the game and maybe won a few more first and second balls.

“When players are on bookings, it’s difficult. There are two great games coming up and players don’t want to miss out.

“But they might miss out if I change the side round – so it’s a double-edged sword.”

United’s trips to City and Liverpool will be the ultimate test of their unbeaten away record.

They are the first promoted side since Burnley in 1947 to go undefeated in their first nine top-flight matches on the road.

“I expect us to be competitive but we will have to raise our level of performance otherwise we will not be coming back with anything,” said Wilder.

Striker Billy Sharp, 33, can go if he wants to leave Bramall Lane for regular first-team football.

Wilder said: “There have been enquiries and we’ll do the best for Billy.”