The 40-year-old has linked up with the Northern Premier Midlands Division outfit ahead of their Emirates FA Cup clash with Burton Albion following the suspension of midfielder James Clifton.

It was in Northamptonshire where Billy Sharp showcased his goalscoring credentials during a loan spell from Sheffield United with Rushden & Diamonds, the predecessor club to AFC Rushden & Diamonds, which was refounded by supporters in 2011 following liquidation.

The lethal frontman could feature this weekend for a side that have reached the First Round Proper by edging past Morecambe in the final qualifying round.

A springboard from which to launch his career

Coming through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane, Sharp got his first taste of first-team football with the Diamonds in the 2004/05 campaign as an 18-year-old.

He notched nine goals in 16 appearances, including a first career hat-trick against Boston United, with his strikes influential in retaining their League Two status.

Immediately endearing himself to supporters by scoring the winner against fierce local rivals Northampton Town, Sharp made the step up to the third tier with Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2005 and continued his ruthlessness in front of goal.

53 goals across a two-season spell prompted Sheffield United to come calling once again and, following spells with the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Southampton and Leeds United, he returned to South Yorkshire for a third time in 2015.

Scoring 116 goals in 311 appearances and adding three promotions to his CV, Sharp was at the heart of Chris Wilder’s side’s success, helping the Blades secure a ninth-placed finish in the 2019/20 season — their highest-ever position in the Premier League era.

Ending his eight-year spell to join LA Galaxy in 2023, he returned to British shores four months later with Hull City in another short-term stint before rejoining Doncaster ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

He helped secure their promotion to League One as a key figure in the dressing room with 12 goals to boot, before helping stabilise Donny last term with 45 appearances in all competitions.

Lending vital experience against League One opponents

To the delight of Football League defenders, Sharp announced his retirement from football last month live on Sky Sports, where he had started punditry on EFL matches.

However, he reversed that decision to return to the Diamonds for their history-defining game against the Brewers this weekend.

The odds are stacked against Elliot Sandy’s side, who currently occupy 12th place in the Northern Premier Midlands Division, as they take on a side that reached the Fourth Round last term.

Having won six matches to reach this stage of the competition, they will certainly draw inspiration from previous upsets along the way, most notably victories over Braintree Town and Morecambe.

Sharp is in line to make his 814th professional appearance on Saturday.