RADCLIFFE Borough director of football Gerry Luczka believes striker Steve Howson is the man to spearhead a successful season.

The 23-year-old striker, who scored 36 goals in the 2007-08 season, struggled for form and fitness last year but Luczka is confident his frontman is back to his best.

Howson struck in Boro’s 3-2 friendly defeat at the hands of FC United on Monday night and Luczka is hopeful it is the start of a sustained purple patch.

“Steve is a very important part of our team and if he can rediscover his goalscoring form we will do okay this season,” said Luczka.

“It was his first goal of pre-season on Monday, but we have been playing tough opponents and we will get a clearer indication of where Steve is at when we play New Mills at the weekend.

“He is a player that thrives on confidence, but we all need a boost every now and again to get that belief.

“You don’t score 36 goals in a season if you are not a very good striker and he just needs to focus on the positives and I think he can add the finishing touches to our play.”

Luczka is still searching for the right partner for Howson, and Ben Wharton did his chances no harm with Boro’s other goal in Monday’s defeat.

Adam Roscoe and Tom Brooks are also in the shake-up and Luczka said: “Ben was prolific as a YTS at Rochdale while Adam and Tom bring something different.

“We have options there if we need them.”

Luczka takes his side to New Mills for their penultimate pre-season friendly on Saturday hoping to see plenty of positives from his side after seeing utility player Michael Oates leave the club this week due to work commitments.

“It is a blow to lose Michael but he was finding it a strain having to balance his football with his work which involves going all over the country,” said Luczka.

“He has a great engine and was very versatile and we will keep the door open for him to return.

“I am pleased with the way the players are approaching pre-season and hopefully they can put in a performance on Saturday.

“Andy Baker, Owen Roberts, Alistair Brown and Simon Kelly have all caught my eye so far and done very well.”

Meanwhile, Boro are hosting a Companies Cup at the club on Sunday, August 16. Entry fee is £75 per team and anyone interested can phone Dave on 0161 724 8346.

l FC United were due to face Bury at Gigg Lane last night in the final of the Newsquest Cup.

FC’s hectic pre-season friendly programme continues at Hyde United on Saturday followed by a trip to Maine Road three days later.