"I love Sydie Peck" - Sky Sports pundit drops claim on "excellent" Sheffield United talent | OneFootball

Gary Weaver has praised Sydie Peck, who performed well for Sheffield United during their win over bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday

Sky Sports commentator and pundit Gary Weaver has heaped affectionate praise on young Sheffield United midfielder Sydie Peck, who starred in his side's 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon.

The 20-year-old was introduced to the Steel City Derby action at half-time, after fellow Blades starlet Ollie Arblaster was forced off due to a knee injury.

But Arblaster's premature exit did not hinder Chris Wilder's men, who claimed victory at Bramall Lane, courtesy of Tyrese Campbell's 50th minute strike.

Midfielder Gus Hamer was instrumental in the build-up, as his tricky footwork got the better of the Wednesday defence, and found former Coventry City teammate Callum O'Hare, who laid the ball off to Campbell, whose effort beat a helpless James Beadle in the Owls goal.

Weaver heaps praise on Peck

During the latest episode of the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, Weaver was clearly highly impressed by Peck's performance, and said:

"Sydie Peck, I love Sydie Peck.

"I think he's an excellent player, he obviously came on for Ollie Arblaster, the Blades fan who was injured in the first half, went off at half-time.

"And then United just saw it out in the end."

It is no wonder that Weaver has psoken so highly of Peck following the midfielder's performance in the Steel City Derby on Sunday, as the Bramall Lane faithful will have been worried when Arblaster was forced off through injury.

Arblaster has been instrumental for the Blades so far this term, and has managed two goals as well as one assist in the Championship this term, while he has also produced 503 accurate passes according to FotMob.

He can therefore be seen as a metronome in Wilder's midfield, but Peck did his upmost to ensure that his teammate would not be a big miss during the second half of the Blades' biggest game of the season to date.

In fact, alongside fellow half-time substitute Femi Seriki, the 20-year-old was a major reason as to why Wilder's men went on to defeat their fierce cross-city rivals.

As per FotMob, no player involved in Sunday's cagey Steel City Derby managed more successful dribbles than Peck's three, which epitomises the way in which the starlet influenced the game.

Furthermore, the Blades youngster displayed his tenacious ability during a tight affair, as he won five of the seven ground duels he was involved in against the Owls, according to FotMob.

Peck could go on to provide healthy competition for Arblaster

While Peck is a talented player who has now attracted praise from prominent EFL commentator and pundit Weaver, he has made just five starts in the Championship this term, compared to the 11 made by his fellow 20-year-old.

But after replacing Arblaster and performing so well in one of the most high-profile games of the second tier season, he has surely given Wilder something to think about in terms of team selection.

The Blades boss revealed that he does not believe Arblaster's injury is anything too serious: "I really don't know (if the midfielder's injury is serious).

"I don't think it is.

"I think he fell heavily on the astroturf part of the grass and jolted his knee.

"We'll get it scanned and hopefully, fingers crossed, he'll be okay for Coventry."

Wilder also praised the performance of substitute Peck: "I thought Sydie gave us bite and legs."

If, after the international break, both Arblaster and Peck are fit to play, then Wilder may now have a tough decision to make following the substitute's impressive display during the Steel City Derby.