CHRIS Wilder felt James Roberts will benefit from getting a taste of the first team after naming the 16-year-old in the squad on Saturday.

The striker, who has scored 14 goals in six games for the youth team, was promoted to the bench for the first time against Barnet following an injury to Tom Craddock.

If he had come on, Roberts would have broken Jason Seacole’s record as United’s youngest first-team player.

Wilder said: “We wanted to get him involved because he’s been going well. “He’s done great, he’s still a young player and has a hell of a lot to learn, but he’s on the right track. “It’s been good for him – he’s had a little taste of it to see what’s expected of the players and the standards that have been set.”