'Spot on' - Chris Wilder hails Gustavo Hamer after overcoming Sheffield United blow in Derby County victory
Gustavo Hamer grabbed another assist in Sheffield United’s 2-1 win over Derby County - but Chris Wilder has revealed he should not have been in the frame to do so.
Manager Chris Wilder admitted Gustavo Hamer should not have played any part in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Derby County at Pride Park after rolling his ankle in training in midweek.
Hamer stored 72 minutes under his belt against the Rams, helping United recover from a goal down to seal all three points and bring an underwhelming campaign to an end on a high.
The former Coventry City man, who scored five goals in the Championship this season, grabbed the assist for Sydie Peck’s winner, meaning he finished the regular campaign having created more goals (12) than any other player in the division this term.
Following the full-time whistle at Pride Park, Hamer shared a moment with United’s travelling contingent - a moment that could have been interpreted as a goodbye. The 28-year-old has just over a year left on his contract at Bramall Lane, meaning the prospect of him being sold this summer to avoid losing him for free later down the line is a realistic scenario.
A concrete decision is yet to be made on his future, meaning United will want to know where they stand as quickly as possible amid the importance of getting on with their summer rebuild in the coming weeks. Understandably eager to keep United’s chief architect at Bramall Lane, Wilder revealed post-match that Hamer should have sat out the trip to the East Midlands, hailing the midfielder’s attitude for wanting to play his part.
“He shouldn’t have played today; he rolled his ankle on Thursday,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. “He didn’t train yesterday (Friday).
“He came off after ten minutes in the session on Thursday and he wanted to play today. His attitude has been absolutely spot on.
“He was Championship Player of the Year last season. I said to him coming off at the end: ‘If this is your last game, I really appreciate your efforts for the football club and myself over the last 18 months and a little bit more. I’d love to work with you again’.
“If he is here and he stays then great. If he doesn’t, he gets the recognition that he deserves for the efforts he has put in. Supporters don’t get it wrong, and their reaction to him going over at the end tells the story.”