Sheffield United: Blades hold Spanish talks

Sheffield United have held talks with at least two Segunda División clubs interested in facing Chris Wilder's team during their visit to La Manga next week.
Sheffield United visit La Manga next week to continue their pre-season preparationsSheffield United visit La Manga next week to continue their pre-season preparations
Sheffield United visit La Manga next week to continue their pre-season preparations

FC Cartagena, who play in the second tier of the competition, are United’s most likely opponents although Elche CF, managed by former Real Madrid midfielder Alberto Toril, have also been approached.

United’s preparations for the new League One season begin in earnest at Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Chris Wilder says his players are not heading to Spain for a holidayChris Wilder says his players are not heading to Spain for a holiday
Chris Wilder says his players are not heading to Spain for a holiday

Wilder, whose squad travels to Spain 24 hours later, said: “The lads have been working hard and that’s good because we don’t want this time to be a picnic. Football is tough and so training has got to be tough as well.”

An unnamed international side, who are also establishing a training camp at the resort, offered their services earlier this month but a number of factors, including concerns about the respective fitness levels of the two teams, prompted United to look elsewhere.

Wilder, who tore-up the pre-season programme devised by his predecessor Nigel Adkins after taking charge in May, added: “This is the time when we have a good look at the lads and, equally, they have a good look at us and get to know what we want. It’s a very important period in that regard.”