Sheffield United star showers praise on duo ahead of "tough" Burnley test

Osborn and Robinson are both expected to start the game after impressing during Thursday’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, which saw Wilder name a short-handed bench following injuries to a number of senior players.

Although Osborn and Robinson have made only five top-flight starts between them since arriving from Nottingham Forest, Baldock, who has appeared in all of United’s league outings since last term’s promotion from the Championship, said: “We see how good people like Jack and Ben are day in and day out.

“They never moan or sulk when they’re not in the team. They just get their heads down and work - work as hard as they possibly can.

“They’re brilliant professionals and so fair play to them, they deserve it.”

United climbed to seventh after dispatching Spurs 3-1 at Bramall Lane where, eight months earlier, goals from John Lundstram (2) and John Fleck saw them beat Sean Dyche’s team 3-0. Speaking before the trip to Lancashire, Wilder confirmed neither Fleck nor Lundstram will be available for selection.

“I don’t think the table lies,” Baldock said. “We deserve to be where we are. We have stamped our mark on the Premier League this season. We don’t want to stand still.

“I’ve worked my whole career to get to the Premier League. Everyone has worked really hard to get here. All I know is that we are such hard working lads, very humble, and are always looking to improve.”

Despite preparing for the fixture three places below United in the rankings, Burnley have kept more clean sheets than all but one PL team. United’s defence was among the most miserly in the country prior to lockdown in March and, despite conceding eight goals in three outings before the meeting with Spurs, showed signs of getting back to its best against Jose Mourinho’s men. Lucas Moura, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, who scored a late consolation, spearheaded the Portuguese’s attack.

“Burnley have got nearly the most clean sheets in the league and a manager who has done brilliant,” Baldock said. “They go under the radar a little bit, so we know how tough this is going to be.

“The reverse fixture against them was one of our best performances. But this is different. We understand how difficult it will be.”

“We’re going to have to be bang on it,” Baldock said. “The next game is the only thing we are ever looking at.”

Leon Clarke, Luke Freeman and Jack O'Connell are also set to be absent when United make the trip to the North-West, while their former defender Matthew Lowton appears set to miss-out for Burnley.

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