Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he won't be pushing Billy Sharp out of Bramall Lane this month.

A handful of Championship sides have enquired about the availability of the Blades captain, who has started only one Premier League game this season.

"I spoke to him about three weeks ago about it, knowing what would come up in January," said Wilder.

"And rightly so. If I was in the Championship and needed someone to give us a boost in January and score us some goals between now and the end of the season and saw that Billy Sharp wasn't playing at Sheffield United, then I would be asking the question.

"Always the decision is with Billy. Obviously from an individual point of view, Billy is disappointed he's not playing. The decision is with him and if he comes to me and says he needs to be playing then I will respect that."

Wilder admits he is keen for Sharp to stay, highlighting his importance off the pitch as well as being another option up front.

"He has an important part to play - and has played an important part with the pressure he has put on the strikers," said Wilder.

"Young strikers as well. How good is it for the likes of Callum Robinson, Lys (Mousset) and Oli (McBurnie) to have Billy to learn from?

"From my point of view, the example he has set, and is setting, and the influence he has on those young players is huge.

"We need him here as well between now and the end of the season so our need is just as big, if not bigger, as those clubs in the Championship."