Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has hailed the leadership qualities of his captain Billy Sharp.
Sharp has started the last three Premier League matches but until then had been used sparingly so far this campaign, making one other start and 12 substitute appearances.
The striker, who celebrated his 34th birthday last week, was pushed down the pecking order by the summer arrivals of Lys Mousset, Oli McBurnie and Callum Robinson, who is now on loan at West Brom, and has had to be patient to get his chance.
Sharp might have felt aggrieved at such treatment after scoring 87 league goals during the past four seasons to help propel the Blades from League One to the top flight.