Town manager Joe Royle says that striker Pablo Couñago needs a goal to build up his flagging confidence. The Spaniard has been out of sorts since returning from injury late last year and has rarely hit the target.

Royle said: "Pablo needs a goal and he knows that. Players thrive on confidence, particularly strikers, and there's no doubt his confidence has been a bit low.

"But it's up to him. The challenge is there for him to score the goals that could get us back into the Premiership.

"Pablo is a diligent boy - he's not an extrovert by any means - who trains to his best and there's never been any slacking in that area."

The former Celta Vigo man is set to line-up alongside Darren Bent against Preston on Saturday, with Shefki Kuqi suspended for one match after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Bradford.

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