Chris Wilder has confirmed to The Star that the door remains open for Billy Sharp to return to Sheffield United in some capacity, once his playing future is decided.

The door has been left open for Billy Sharp to make a return to Sheffield United in the future, manager Chris Wilder has suggested, as the modern-day Lane legend weighs up the next move in his career. The 40-year-old will leave United’s neighbours Doncaster Rovers in the summer when his contract expires.

Rovers confirmed the news earlier this week, describing Sharp in a statement as “one of the most influential figures in the club’s history.” Sharp admitted that he is open to anything in terms of his next move, whether that is continuing his playing career or moving into coaching.

Sharp has made no secret of his desire to move into management when he eventually hangs up his shooting boots, with United’s co-owner Steven Rosen teasing a potential return to the Lane in that capacity when he spoke to fans earlier this season.

“He's an unbelievable character who epitomises everything that we have achieved in that period,” Wilder said of Sharp, who he managed during his time at Bramall Lane and still speaks to regularly.

“It was my first decision to make him captain, and I still speak to him. I don't know where his next move is, whether it's coaching. I know we talk frequently about his progression and what he wants to do as well.

“Or whether he still fancies another year and trying to get that to 300 [goals]. I think he's like two or three off. But I'm a big believer of players like that that know the personality of the club, being involved here as well.

“We always leave stuff like that open, to what his ambitions are and what his future looks like. But certainly one of the big things that our academy is all about, and I'm all about, is people who know what our football club is all about and taking it on.

“And if there's a role there for Bill and he doesn't want to continue his playing career, I'm sure that there'll be discussion in terms of using him, his experience and, most importantly, his culture and his personality in what makes us tick.”

Sharp has taken his coaching badges while still playing and admits he has been observing managers up close on the touchline during his spells on the bench at Rovers this season. He was back at the Lane on pundit duties for Wednesday night’s defeat to Blackburn Rovers and Wilder added: “He ticks a lot of boxes.

“His love of Sheffield United is enormous. His history with the club, what he's achieved with the club. He's been at other clubs and he's had experiences and he's had achievements, but his greatest ones have been in a red and white shirt.

“I know he's doing his coaching badges and I know that his enthusiasm will take him so far. But he'll need to deliver on quality if he's going to progress as a coach and a manager, and I've talked to him about that.

“So there’s a long way to go. We’ll see what he has to say on that one. I won't be surprised if he has another go on cracking it to try and get to 300 goals, but certainly the door is open to him.

“And the other boys who have had fabulous careers here that can give us something back. We've given a lot to them and they've given to us as well, but we can take something back in using them to help in our journey and our progression.”