Sheffield United coach Stuart McCall has praised Rhian Brewster’s work ethic despite the striker’s continued struggles to establish himself at Bramall Lane.

The Blades paid Liverpool £24m for the England Under 21 international two years ago but form and injury struggles have prevented him from really making an impact. McCall says it is not for the want of trying on the player’s part:

“He works ever so hard, he wants to be the best he can, he’s not a fancy-dan player with a big price tag who just floats about, he’s got a really good attitude and work ethic and he’s a good finisher. As a coaching staff all you can ask for is dedication and hard work and he’s giving that. He just needs a little run when he can get a goal but I don’t think we should be getting onto him because he’s playing his part in the team when he’s involved.”

Manager Paul Heckingbottom has started Brewster just four times this season, and he has only managed to complete the full 90 minutes once, which was against West Brom in the first round of the Carabao Cup last month.

For the most part, the likes of Oli McBurnie and Iliman Ndiaye have been favoured ahead of Brewster, which is not surprising considering the pair have scored nine goals between them so far this campaign.

Brewster did start in the 2-0 win against Preston North End last Saturday, though, and he will be looking to stay in the eleven when United face Birmingham after the international break.