Sheffield Wednesday hope Osaze Urhoghide's rise to the first-team can inspire the next generation

That is the belief of versatile midfielder Adam Reach.

Urhoghide, a regular in the U23s squad this season, made his Owls debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup.

The 19-year-old, who had been contemplating his future as a footballer in the summer after AFC Wimbledon released him, starred in the right-back position as Wednesday returned to winning ways after a three-match losing run.

If that was not enough, Urhoghide then won the hearts of football fans up and down the country with his heart-warming post match interview.

Reach said: “He was thrown in at the deep end and he managed it fantastically.

"It is a credit to him and it is a lesson for all the other young lads that we have got here that there will be opportunities if they work hard and prove themselves.

"With the size of the squad that we have and the ambitions we have, maybe it limits the opportunities young players get but that is the fact of life.

“But if they work hard and prove they are good enough, then the manager we have got has shown he is not afraid to put them in.”

Urhoghide will be hoping to retain his place in the side when Wednesday resume their Championship campaign with a trip to league leaders Leeds United on Saturday.

Describing Urhoghide as the “shining light” of the academy, Reach said: "He is such a level-headed character. He is so calm and focused.

“He is the guy that stands out because he leads by example. He doesn't get involved in some of the immature stuff that you can find in the dressing room.

"He is always the first one in and the last one out. He keeps himself to himself.

"He tries to work on every aspect of his game and it has paid off for him so far but this is only day for him now.

"If he continues the way he is going, I think he has got a brilliant career in front of him.”