David Brooks has made his Sheffield United comeback, with the Welsh international featuring for the club’s under-23 side last night, as reported by the Sheffield Star.

Chris Wilder has been unable to call on Brooks since early December, with the youngster suffering from glandular fever.

However, Brooks made a brief appearance for the Blades’ under-23 side on Monday, featuring in a defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Wilder has confirmed that the 20-year-old has returned to training, but remained cautious of throwing the youngster back into Sky Bet Championship straight away.

The Bramall Lane boss indicated that Brooks wouldn’t be involved against Leeds United this weekend, with his lack of game time seemingly an issue for Wilder.

He said: “Brooksy is back in full-time training and the issue is game time.

“It’s a medical issue more than anything - he can only do a set amount of minutes per game, so it might take him a while to get to the point where he can play 90 minutes or be on the bench for the first team.

“He’s had that first game now so it’s about ramping up the minutes off the back of that, while still monitoring him and ensuring that we don’t overwork him.”

During the first-half of the season, prior to his illness, Brooks made a positive impression on Wilder’s first-team, making 19 Championship appearances, scoring two goals and adding a further three assists.

The form of Brooks helped the Blades into top-six contention, with Wilder’s side still well placed to challenge for play-off football later this season.

Back-to-back defeats have dented the mood around Bramall Lane, with Wilder now looking to turn things around this weekend, when managerless Leeds visit South Yorkshire.

Although Leeds are currently without a boss, it is widely expected that Paul Heckingbottom will have been appointed in time for Saturday lunchtime’s Yorkshire derby.

The Verdict

Brooks was key for Sheffield United during the first-half of the season, with the youngster’s impact a positive one at Bramall Lane.

You have to say that in recent weeks Wilder’s side have missed the 20-year-old, who is coming back into the fold with the Blades five points adrift of the top-six.

Brooks’ return will add another dimension to Sheffield United’s attack, and whilst Wilder will be keen not to rush the youngster back, he will be desperate to have him available.

Sheffield United fans… Let us know your thoughts!