Confusion surrounded the position of manager Chris Wilder as Sheffield United geared up for Sunday's Premier League trip to Leicester, with the club yet to make an announcement on his future.

Wilder is widely expected to leave his role at Bramall Lane and the PA news agency understands a statement to confirm the 53-year-old had been relieved of his duties was planned for Friday afternoon.

However, there had still been no public comment from the club by the end of the day.

But Wilder's team have endured a miserable run this season, suffering the ignominy of making the worst ever start to a top-flight season in the history of English football.

The Blades have lost 22 of their 28 Premier League matches and are bottom of the table with only 14 points – 12 points from safety with 10 matches remaining.

However, they have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they travel to Chelsea next weekend.