Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has paid tribute to defender Chris Basham.

Wilder was speaking ahead of tonight's game against West Ham, which is expected to see Basham make his 251st appearance since arriving on a free transfer from Blackpool six years ago.

He said: “He's one of my favourite players.

“When I finish managing and come out of the game and look back, he'll be right up there in terms of the players I've coached and managed. He's an absolute diamond of a lad.

“He's funny, quite dry and he leaves it all out there which is all you can ever ask.

“I'm never going to say he's the most talented but, as an all-round player, Bash is right up there."