Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United: '˜Outstanding' Brooks is big part of Blades' building process

Wilder says the gifted 20-year-old, who this week pinned his international colours to the mast with his first senior call-up for Wales, is going nowhere ahead of finishing school at S2.

A glorious week saw Brooks hog the headlines after a majestic performance in Sunday’s Steel City victory over Sheffield Wednesday and he followed up by helping the Blades move up to second in the Championship – their highest position since April 2009 – in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over high-flying Wolves.

Brooks, who received his Wales call-up on Thursday, will seek to provide gloss to a special week for him and his club by helping the Blades sign off on a winning note at Nottingham Forest ahead of the international break.

For his part, Wilder remains confident that Brooks will keep his feet on the ground and that he will also remain a Blade for a good while yet.

Wilder said: “He (Brooks) will not be going anywhere (in January), I have said that.

“I am building here and he is a big part of that, as they all are.

“We want to keep hold of all our players, especially the ones who are doing well. Brooko is going nowhere.

“He is learning off good people off the pitch and good players on the training pitch.

“I always think that is the biggest thing.

“Myself, Al (assistant boss Alan Knill) and the coaching staff can add bits and pieces to his game.

“He has got natural ability, but the biggest thing for me is him being among those players, who are a first-class group.

“I am a big believer that if you have got good people and good characters around, they do half your job for you.

“His progression is there for everyone to see. He is producing outstanding performances, which are there for all to see.”

Despite the Blades’ excellent week, Wilder himself is not getting carried away and believes that today’s opponents are favourites for this afternoon’s fixture. He rates Forest as a “dangerous opponent” despite their recent poor run.

Wilder said: “I went on Tuesday night and they deserved to win. We are under no illusions; this is a big, big test for us.

“I still believe we are underdogs going into this game as they are at home and have been in the Championship for a few years. They are a decent side, make no bones about it. We are still finding our way in the division.

“We are thinking we are second in the league and looking at them and their past results. That is dangerous and they are a dangerous opponent for us, as we have been for the last two opponents that we have faced.

“For us, we have been consistent in our attitude and performances and we have adapted well to life in the Championship and deserved every result.

“I don’t think any of the results we have picked up have been by luck.”