MICHAEL Collins wants City to embrace the step up in class tonight when Sheffield United arrive at Valley Parade.

The only home friendly of the pre-season programme heralds the first use of the pitch since its six-figure revamp over the summer.

The Blades also represent a stiff challenge after two outings against opposition from the National League North.

While defeats in both games have not unduly worried Collins, he views tonight’s tougher test as a timely opportunity.

“It’s a great chance for us,” he said. “Sheffield United have been a successful team for the past two years.

“They went up from League One into the Championship and set off at a frantic pace. They just tailed away a little bit but it was a good season.

“The quality in their squad speaks for itself. It’s going to be a big ask for us whatever team they put out.

“But I always think that sometimes when you’ve had a little setback the perfect opportunity straight after it is the most difficult task that can be thrown in front of you.

“That’s what we know it will be.”

A significant number of first-teamers sat out Saturday’s 1-0 loss at York with the Sheffield United game in mind.

Expect most of those to be in contention to face Chris Wilder’s side, including the in-demand Charlie Wyke.

Sunderland came back with another offer for the striker last night  after an initial bid that was well below any figure that City would entertain.

Collins insists Wyke has not been affected by the swirling speculation regarding his future. But the club are keen to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible before it becomes a bigger distraction going into the new season.

Wyke was among the watchers at Bootham Crescent as a younger City side toiled against a side from three levels below.

Collins saw it as useful “eye-opener” for some of those looking to make the jump into his first-team plans.

“A lot of the younger lads have had an exposure to (senior) football and it will be a great lesson for them.

“They are playing against teams in the National League North and sometimes it can be an eye-opener to those lads.

“You’re attached to Bradford City and you almost get pulled towards thinking you are a Bradford City player. It’s a wake-up call to realise that there are some top footballers who aren’t even playing in the league.

“It should be a good lesson for them. That was a positive for me that the young lads realised the levels they need to get to just to have a career within the game.

“Saturday gave me plenty of food for thought and there’s a lot to think about. Things now step up going into the Sheffield United game and from there on in up to August 4.

“I’m not alarmed or worried. It’s been brilliant to see where we’re at and I think that’s the most important thing to come in with.

“You can have all the ideas in the world. But first of all you need to get a good gauge of where you’re at and that’s been evident in the past two games.

“As I’ve said from day one, all I want is people who want to play for Bradford City. We’ll pick the lads up and be ready to go again.

“I’m not concerned by the results so far. But it gives me an idea with how I plan going forward now.”

One player not likely to face the Blades is Tyrell Robinson. The winger is yet to be involved in the friendlies after taking a whack during the squad’s week away in Chester.

Robinson did some training on the York pitch before the weekend game and Collins feels it is not a major worry.

He added: “Tyrell got a dead leg in training down at Carden Park so we’ve just had to monitor him through it. He’s fine.

“There’s no rush to get him back amongst it until he feels completely happy.

“It’s a case of just bedding him in because he’s missed a block of work. We don’t want to throw him in too soon.

“Unfortunately every day of pre-season you miss, people pull slightly ahead of you with regards to fitness and the intensity we work at.

“We’re aware of that with Tyrell. We want to make sure we’ve got healthy bodies coming into the stretch before the first game of the season.”