Bittersweet experience for Chris Basham as his Sheffield United return is marred by 4-0 hammering at Spurs

Delight at getting back out on the pitch after over a month on the sidelines. The usual disappointment at United coming up short once again, being outclassed by illustrious opponents.

And desire to one day play at such arenas again.

“I'm not used to being an injured footballer and being in the gym,” Basham admitted.

“I don't like it and it’s not nice seeing the lads suffer. Seeing them win at the weekend [a 1-0 win over Brighton and the gaffer threw me in at Spurs.

“It’s hard to say I enjoyed it when you get beat 4-0. It’s hard to take and it hurts. But I felt fit and ready to go.

“Look at this arena – there’s no better place to play football. I might never be back here, so I’ve got to aspire to come back here in the Premier League

“The players all think the same thing, and whoever takes charge will be wanting to get this club back up too.”

Basham lined up on the left of United’s back three, for the first half at least, with both Ethan Ampadu and Kean Bryan missing.

He reverted to his normal position for the second half, after a switch of personnel at the break, and United looked much better for it – at least until Gareth Bale raced away to finish off a quick Spurs break and realistically put the game to bed, on his way to a hat-trick.