Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder insists Phil Jagielka has a crucial role to play for the club, despite limited game time following his return to Bramall Lane.

The 37-year-old has made only one brief cameo appearance in the Premier League since leaving Everton in the summer and is unlikely to start on Saturday at Goodison Park.

But Wilder said: "Not just for this game, Phil's been a really important part of the group. Obviously he's not had a lot of football this year but it was always going to be the case that if Jags wasn't playing his input would be invaluable.

"He's filled us with confidence at times in terms of what to expect in the Premier League and the self-belief in the team. He's been absolutely first class. He's trained as if he was an 18-year-old."