We can still finish high in Championship - Hamer

Sheffield United midfielder Gus Hamer says they haven't given up on challenging at the top end of the Championship this season.

The Blades endured a dismal start to the campaign under Ruben Selles, losing their opening five games before he was replaced by returning boss Chris Wilder.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists moved out of the bottom three with a 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday night and are 11 points off the top six.

"I haven't looked at the bottom three to be honest," Hamer told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I don't want to sound cocky or anything but I think it's just the team we've got and the ability, the fans we've got. We shouldn't be in that place in the first place.

"But that's the reality, we've been there. We've got ourselves out of that situation so now we're just looking up the table.

"Step by step and everything is possible in this league so I think we still have a good chance to go high up in the league."

Hamer returned from injury this week after missing six league games and scored an excellent long-range goal in the victory over Pompey.

"I'm back and it's up to the gaffer now who is going to play," Hamer added.

"If he starts me, I'm ready to play as long as he wants me to play. I'm just glad I got some minutes in the derby, we won 3-0, very good result of course and then we backed it up with our performance [against Portsmouth].

"Six goals in two games and two clean sheets. That's a very good start after the international break.

"We know what we can do, we know what our abilities are so I think we can look forward to the next couple of games."