Ben Osborn is the perfect example to follow says Chris Wilder

The former Nottingham Forest player - who has to be patient for the opportunity in the top-flight after his arrival last simmer - has been in impressive recent form after stepping into the fray for the injured John Fleck.

The Scot could return to the fray following injury for Thursday's Premier League trip to Leicester City, with Wilder likely to have a key selection issue if that transpires.

On Osborn, who has caught the eye in the club's past four top-flight matches, Wilder said: "He has been excellent. It is not always easy being up and down the country watching the team play well with Fleck and Enda (Stevens), but his professionalism has been amazing and work they do in training and in the gym to make sure they are right.

"He is a fantastic example to any of the player that when the door opens, you have to be ready, physically and mentally, to take the chance and he has taken that opportunity with both hands."

Talk of Europe is again in the air among Unitedites following an outstanding four-match unbeaten sequence which has yielded ten points from a possible 12 incorporating home victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea.

Wilder says his players must embrace the challenge, but is steadfastly refusing to look too far.

The Blades chief, whose side will move two points behind Leicester with victory, said: "On every level it is an exciting finish, at both ends of the table.

"(Just) Six or seven teams have nothing to play for and there is still the FA Cup and a relegation battle which we are delighted we are not involved in and at the top of the table, there are clubs still after more.

"Even teams with nothing to play for have professional pride and you don't play and manage in Premier League without having that. Everyone has something to play for, that is what makes it so exciting going into the last three games.

"We are capable of winning games of football, losing or drawing. We will reflect at the end of the season after Southampton, that is all we are looking at.

"I have got to prepare for Leicester, which is a tough game and one we go into in good spirits and nick.

"We are positive and why shouldn't we be based on the last two or three games. We need to make sure we are up there as we were against Chelsea, Wolves and Spurs."