Town striker Freddie Sears will be looking to end a long wait for an away goal at Burton on Friday.

Sears has netted five times this season, including two in the much-needed recent 3-0 home win over struggling Wigan, but not since his 16th-second goal in the 2-1 win at Fulham in December 2015 has he managed to score on his travels.

He said: “It was lovely to get the two goals against Wigan. I’d had a rest from being on the bench quite a bit and obviously that was a frustrating time. But sometimes it helps coming out of the team and taking the pressure off yourself a bit.

“You’re hungrier to get back in. I came back and played well and scored in the Leeds game, at Norwich I thought I did alright, and against Birmingham, Wigan and Fulham I think I put myself about and got a couple of goals.”

Reflecting on Town’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham last weekend Sears added: “At the end of the day we lost the game but it was quite positive in the second half and could quite easily have gone to 2-2.

“We didn’t take our chances and we ended up getting punished. But Fulham are a good side and despite the result I thought it was quite a positive performance.

“The fact that I have gone a long time without an away goal isn’t really bothering me. Any goal, home or away, you will take. My last one was at Fulham but hopefully I’ll get at least one on Friday night.

“Burton will be tough. It’s a tough place to go and we know what to expect. It’s going to be hard because Nigel Clough will get them up for it and they need the points as much as we do.

“It’s going to be a tough game and I think the gaffer knows what’s coming so he’s getting us ready for it as well.”

Sears has happy memories of his only previous clash with Burton when his goal in Town’s 2-0 win in October last year, in a game that marked the Brewers’ first-ever visit to Portman Road, ended an amazing 38-game drought.

He said: “It’s a night I remember well. People might not think too much about Burton at home but for me it was a special night after going so long without scoring.

“I still remember the fans after that game — it was brilliant and hopefully I get a few more on Friday night.”

Photo: TWTD

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