Brooks hoping for chance in Steel City derby

But the Sheffield United midfielder – now 20 – is hoping to feature when the Blades face Wednesday on Sunday for the first time since February 26 2012.

Brooks only made his full league debut for United last weekend, in the 1-0 home defeat to Norwich City.

He was handed his first start against Norwich, due to five strikers out injured, playing off forward Ched Evans in a more advanced role.

He even had a couple of chances to cap his debut with a goal, but was thwarted one-one-one with the goalkeeper, before blasting over in stoppage time.

Having come through the youth system at Manchester City, Brooks – who has spent time on loan at FC Halifax Town – is relishing the chance of playing at Hillsborough.

“Obviously we’ve got Sheffield Wednesday coming up and that doesn’t need hyping,” said Brooks. “All the team knows, we all want to win. You can take every game as it comes.

“I thought I did well (against Norwich) and hopefully I’ve put myself into contention to play again.

“I thought we got into some really nice positions, it was just a lack of quality in the final third. We made the chances but couldn’t put them away.

“That was my full (league) debut so on a personal note that was nice. But it’s a team game and we didn’t get three points so we’re disappointed.

“I thought we dug in right to the end and threw everything at it. It just wasn’t our day but we kept going all the way through which tells you something.”

Strike duo James Hanson and Caolan Lavery will miss Sunday’s game, but Leon Clarke – like Lavery a former Owl – Clayton Donaldson and lifelong Blades fan Billy Sharp will be assessed after missing the Norwich game due to injury.

Midfielder Brooks is eager to be involved, whatever position boss Chris Wilder – who celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday – asks him to perform.

“I’ll play wherever the gaffer wants me to, to be honest,” he said. “Really, I don’t mind.

“I can play behind the striker or out wide, wherever he sees fit is fine by me. There’s benefits to every position.”