AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Sandy praises impact of 'model professional' Billy Sharp

"Just having someone of that quality and the levels he has been at was really beneficial for everyone at the club."

Boss Elliot Sandy has heaped praise on Billy Sharp after the veteran striker came out of retirement to play for AFC Rushden & Diamonds in their Emirates FA Cup first round clash at Burton Albion on Saturday.

There was to be no dream return for Sharp as he targeted a 300th career goal, and the 40-year-old was unable to inspire Diamonds to pull of a huge giant-killing at the Pirelli Stadium.

But Sandy has revealed the former Sheffield United and Leeds United man still had a massive influence on everyone at Hayden Road during is short stay.

"I do think we missed James Clifton on the day because he is a real physical presence up there, but Billy more than filled his shoes and for the whole week he was brilliant," said the Diamonds boss.

"He engaged in everything, for training he was there on time as a model pro he would be, and he was around the lads, speaking to them, helping them.

"It will help a lot of these players in the future as well, so just having that experience, of having someone of that quality and the levels he has been at was really beneficial for everyone at the club.

"Having somebody at the club who has been there, done that, at the highest level.

"For a lot of the young lads in particular, for them to see what he goes through, how he portrays himself around the place and his professionalism, and it was a real credit to Billy."

And Sandy was quick to make it clear that Sharp didn't make the move to come out of retirement for any sort of selfish reasons or ego trip.

"You see it sometimes where someone might be a bit big-time and think it is all about them, but he wasn't like that at all," said the Rushen boss.

"From the beginning he wanted to make sure it was all about our lads.

"We knew he was going to get attention, of course, but he made sure the focus was on the club and on the players that got us to this stage as well."

So, will Sharp be seen in a Diamonds shirt again? The Diamonds boss isn't ruling it out completely.

Asked if his appearance was going to be a one-off, Sandy said: "We're not sure, and the door is not completely closed.

"But there is nothing in the pipeline to say that he'll be playing again any time soon.

"It one of those at the minute where we thank him for what he has done, and then if an opportunity does come up and he fancies one more runout, then we would certainly be open to that."