NEIL Warnock's pronouncement that Sheffield United are facing their "greatest challenge yet" as they prepare for tomorrow's visit to the Reebok highlights the nervousness that has gripped every team in the lower reaches of the Premiership.

The Blades go into the weekend four points clear of the relegation frame but Charlton's revival under Alan Pardew and the sheer desperation that will motivate West Ham in their remaining eight games guarantees that there will be no let-up in the pressure as the fight for survival reaches its climax.

The new TV deal means it is more imperative than ever that clubs with ambitions and aspirations to maintain a place in the Premiership - the richest league in football - and although Sheffield United have had their work cut out surviving in their first season in the top flight after a 12-year absence, Warnock and his bosses in the boardroom believe that, if they can secure a second season, the good times will roll again at Bramall Lane.

The Blades balance sheet shows the strides they have already taken to re-establish themselves as a force.

They invested a substantial £14.9m in new players - impressive on a turnover of £25.9m - and still managed to show a profit of £2.5m.

But the prospect of a minimum £30m share of the Premier League's TV income when the new deal kicks off in August means the pressure is on Warnock to ensure that his team finishes outside the bottom three.

Nevertheless, the rewards could be sky high with Warnock being given the resources to build a bigger and better squad that, in the not-too-distant future could be playing in an extended Bramall Lane.

Executive chairman, Kevin McCabe, expressed the hope and expectations of the club when he declared his intention to establish the Blades as a major befitting its status as the 11th best supported clubs in the Premiership.

"The reshaping of Sheffield United has continued apace since our return to the Premier League," said the United chief.

"Substantial sums have been utilised for team strengthening demonstrating our firm intentions to remain in the top echelons of football.

"Assuming we achieve the goal of maintaining our status in the top league, then our next challenge is to provide football management with resources to deliver a team capable of competing towards the higher level of the Premier League."

McCabe added: "In planning for the long term, all sensible options are being considered to ensure that Sheffield United have a stadium that reflects our aspirations to play football at the top level."

It is against that backdrop that Warnock must prepare for the first of eight games that could have long-term implications for the future of the club.

He has lost eight-goal top-scorer Rob Hulse with a broken leg but he believes the rest of his squad, including fit again Mikele Leigertwood and Matthew Kilgallon, will benefit from a spell of warm weather training in Portugal.

"We're gearing up for our greatest challenge yet," he said, "But the good news is that we've been able to get lots of work done and yet the lads still feel refreshed and ready to go."