Wilder praises Robins' 'incredible work' at Coventry

Chris Wilder and Mark Robins were two of the most experienced managers in the Championship before the latter's sacking by Coventry earlier this month

Sheffield United head coach Chris Wilder has praised the work done at Coventry by their former boss Mark Robins, who was sacked earlier this month.

The Blades take on Robins' former side at the CBS Arena on Saturday.

"I would like to pay tribute to Mark Robins and his work that he did at that football club," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I've known Mark for a long time when he was local at Rotherham as well. I think we all understand the journey that he was on in terms of where they were and the financial issues, supporter issues and the tough journey that that club has been on.

"To get them within a penalty kick of the Premier League, within an incredibly tight decision to an FA Cup final and the group that he assembled [is outstanding].

"His incredible batch of work that he's put into that football club and what he's done will be recognised by everybody around the city and most importantly everybody at the football club.

"I don't think in any way his career will be defined by 10-15 games at the start of this season, it will be defined by the bulk of his work, which has been absolutely outstanding."

United will be without midfielder Oli Arblaster, who is set to be out until the new year because of a knee injury sustained in the derby win over Sheffield Wednesday before the international break.

"He'll get all the support from everybody but there will be a bit of tough love in there as well because he has to use the time diligently - these things happen," said Wilder.

"We have to make sure we're not reliant on a 20-year-old boy on our success, it's the sum of everything that we put together and we have to make sure that we're not a one or two-man team."