"Without being disrespectful" - Chris Wilder makes claim on Sheffield United ace Tyrese Campbell | OneFootball

The Blades striker has returned to form at a crucial point of the season

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has issued an honest claim on Tyrese Campbell's return to form as the Blades look to maintain their position at the Championship summit.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star ahead of the season's final seven games, Wilder believes that the striker's worth ethic has been a key facet behind a run of four goals in five games, as well as putting in a strong performance against Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City Derby at Hillsborough last month.

Campbell has enjoyed a fine first season at Bramall Lane, and will go down as one of the second tier signings of the season as United picked up the forward's services on a three-year contract following his departure from Stoke City at the end of last term.

Despite the abundance of attacking options at Wilder's disposal, which were boosted by January additions Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz, the 25-year-old continues to lead the scoring charts in S2, being the only man in the squad to have hit a double-figure tally so far this campaign.

And, despite starting less than half of United's games in the second tier since his summer switch, the man in the dugout has praised Campbell's mentality, which ended a run of eight appearances without a goal last month after suffering a minor hamstring issue.

Chris Wilder reveals reason behind upturn in Tyrese Campbell form

The striker had been linked with AFC Bournemouth ahead of the January transfer window, highlighting the potential which still surrounds his services despite an injury-hit past at the Bet365 Stadium, which still yielded 36 goals in 164 appearances.

However, after making the first of his 16 starts this season on October 2nd against Swansea City, Campbell has been the scorer of some pivotal goals for the Blades, most notably, his second-half winner against Wednesday at Bramall Lane on November 10th.

After a run of six goals in eight games between October and December, the summer signing would miss seven league games through injury, before failing to hit the back of the net until the 2-1 win against QPR on March 1st, which has sparked yet another purple patch.

When asked about what was the catalyst behind Campbell's second rich vein of goalscoring form, Wilder told the Star: "Everything we do as a football club, whether it's from a tactical or shape point of view or individual stuff, we just do to help the players.

"As long as they've got the right attitude and they want to listen and improve their game," he added.

"But the boys have got to do it themselves. And Tyrese is prepared to do that. It was an important part of his career. Without being disrespectful, maybe he knew he had to step up," the 57-year-old stated.

"We've kept him fit and healthy, apart from a little period. He's looking sharp and strong, his link-up play is good, he gives us a one-ball threat and his finish, yet again, was an outstanding one."

Tyrese Campbell will hope to fire Sheffield United to the Championship title

Some of Campbell's goals have proven decisive since his arrival in the Steel City, which has seen United rise to the top of the table after their 3-1 success over Coventry City, coupled with Leeds United's blip against Swansea City at Elland Road.

United are currently two points in front of their Yorkshire rivals and Burnley heading into a packed April schedule, which also sees them take on the Clarets at Turf Moor on Easter Monday.

Whilst the achievements of this season, especially when factoring in a two-point deficit at the beginning of the season, cannot be downplayed from Wilder's point of view, the Blades will be hoping that previous form against the top sides counts for nothing, having taken just three points against Leeds, Burnley and fourth-placed Sunderland so far this season.

With Campbell and Rhian Brewster finding form at a pivotal time, the striking duo could fire United to the title in the weeks to come, starting with a trip to one of their boss's former clubs, Oxford United.