Three players Chris Wilder could target if appointed Sunderland’s next manager

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The Sheffield United manager is said to be Sunderland’s number one boss target.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is Sunderland’s number one target to succeed Chris Coleman, according to the Sun.

The report claims Wilder is frustrated by the boardroom disharmony at Bramall Lane, and could leave his boyhood Blades ‘for the right salary’.

But which players could the 50-year-old target if Sunderland are successful in luring him from Sheffield United?

HITC Sport takes a look…

Adam Smith (Bristol Rovers)

The Sunderland-born goalkeeper was signed by Wilder ahead of his final campaign as Northampton Town manager, and was named in the League Two team of the season as the Cobblers romped to the title. A rumoured target for his former boss during last summer’s transfer window, Smith eventually signed for Bristol Rovers – although he lost his place to Sam Slocombe earlier this year. None of Sunderland’s shot-stoppers have convinced this term, and the 25-year-old could feature on Wilder’s list of replacements.

Jake Wright (Sheffield United)

Twice recruited by Wilder, at Oxford United and Sheffield United, Wright’s future could be in doubt should his mentor depart. The 32-year-old may have been used sparingly this season, but he was a regular in the Blades’ League One title-winning campaign and could be a useful addition for Sunderland, who are looking to repeat the trick two years on. Fellow centre-backs John O’Shea, Marc Wilson, Brendan Galloway and Jake Clarke-Salter are expected to move on at the end of their contracts this summer.

Ricky Holmes (Sheffield United)

One of League One’s standout performers in the early part of this season, Holmes’s six goals and six assists for Charlton Athletic prompted a January reunion with Wilder – the winger’s former boss at Northampton. Despite their close relationship, Holmes has only played 131 minutes since his £400,000 transfer, although that is perhaps down to the form of others in his position – notably Mark Duffy and David Brooks – and Sunderland could present the pair with an opportunity to get things back on track.