Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna insists Kayden Jackson can play a key role for the Blues in the absence of star striker George Hirst.
With Hirst set to be on the sidelines for months after surgery on his injured hamstring, the lightning quick Jackson started up top and scored in Town's big win over Sunderland on Saturday night.
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And, though Town will seek to add a striker or two to the squad this transfer window, it seems likely Jackson - who's been mainly used on the right wing - will be asked to step up and lead the line in the interim.
"Players like him are really, really important to the group," McKenna said of the 29-year-old, who's now scored three goals in 23 games this season.
"They work every day to improve themselves, contribute to the culture and are willing to do whatever the team needs when required.
"We know what he can give us. His strengths are obvious. His work off the ball as a striker is as good as anyone in the league. He stretches the opposition and gives the No.10s behind him a chance to get on the ball.
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"To top that off it's great for him to get a goal with a really good finish because all strikers want to score.
"He's spent the large majority of the last 18 months working as a right-winger and developing his game and his pictures there.
"Now, through injuries, he's having to work as a centre-forward again and develop those habits.
"That's not easy, but he's done terrifically at that. We're all really pleased for him."
McKenna's praise was echoed by centre-back George Edmundson, who himself is stepping up and impressing in the absence of regular starter Cameron Burgess.
“He’s a credit to himself, really,” Edmundson said of Jackson. “He’s obviously not been in the team as much because Hirsty has been doing brilliantly, but he’s not moaned and he’s not sulked.
“He’s waited for his chance and got on with the extras like the running you have to do after games and in training.
“He’s just carried on with it and done it without moaning. Tonight, he got his goal and he deserves it. I thought he was terrific.”
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