Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp has backed Rhian Brewster to come good as the Blades prepare to embark on life back in the Championship.
Brewster has endured a frustrating spell at Bramall Lane since his £23.5million arrival from Liverpool last summer, failing to stand out as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.
The 21-year-old made 27 appearances in the Premier League last season, starting only 12 times, and he is still yet to score his first goal in United colours.
Brewster, though, will be hoping to spearhead United to promotion next season, and replicate the form he displayed on loan at Swansea City in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign.
The striker scored 11 goals in 22 Championship appearances for the Swans, as Steve Cooper's side narrowly missed out on promotion via the play-offs.
Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Sharp has backed Brewster to get back amongst the goals and get that monkey off his back next season.
He said: "He’s an unbelievable finisher. He's a young kid and he's scored goals in the Championship.
"Okay, he didn't score in the Premier League last season but if he had got one, it would have changed a lot of things. That first goal for a new club is huge for a striker and maybe Rhian was affected by that.
"That he didn't get a goal and people were talking about it. He'll look back on that season, in five or six years, and may think he should have done something different.
"But he will score more goals, there’s no doubt about that, and hopefully he can get one early next season. If we can pick up a few wins early on, and get people scoring goals, I'm sure we'll be fine."
The Verdict
You look at United's squad as they prepare for life back in the Championship, and you've got to say that it is quite exciting.
They have the same core of players which led them to promotion under Chris Wilder, and in the likes of Billy Sharp, David McGoldrick, Oli McBurnie and Brewster, they have proven goalscoring ability.
Brewster is a talented young player who showed glimpses of his ability at Liverpool, and even though his season didn't go to plan last term, a full season of Championship football could do him the world of good next season.