Midfielder Simon Heslop admits coming out of the team for three or four games may have “freshened him up”.

The 23-year-old former Barnsley player was back to his very best in United’s last game, when they came from behind to win 2-1 at Chesterfield last week.

And he seemed to have recaptured his early-season drive after a dip in form.

Along with the outstanding contribution of striker Steve Maclean, his performance at the B2net Stadium stood out, especially in the second half.

Heslop’s surging run helped make the equaliser, from Tom Craddock, which was so key to the result.

“It was a great win for the lads and after losing five on the bounce it was one we needed,” he said.

“I thought the team did well and personally felt I did well as well.

“It was nice to be back in the team.”

Asked whether he thought coming out of the team may have freshened him up, he said: “Maybe it has a bit.

“I was disappointed at the time, but it has given me a little break that will maybe do me good.”

Exceptional in United’s 6-1 thrashing of Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup in their first home game this season after winning promotion, Heslop was dropped first for the FA Cup first-round tie at Burton Albion.

And he remained on the bench for the next two league games, against Rotherham and Gillingham.

But manager Chris Wilder brought him back against high-flying Chesterfield, in a more concentrated midfield, a 4-1-4-1 formation in the first half, and then in a 4-4-2 system after the break.

The former Tamworth, Halifax and Luton loanee said: “I maybe did lose a bit of form but I think I was doing OK.

“I was obviously disappointed to come out of the team. Nobody likes to lose their place in the side.

“But I couldn’t really have any complaints with the manager’s decision or with any of the decisions he has made because we had lost four out of five when it happened.”