FREDDIE Sears has likened his strike-force partnership, with Jabo Ibehre, to that of the old Emile Heskey/Michael Owen pairing at Liverpool.

Sears swept home the only goal of the game against Preston on Saturday, following up after Ibehre’s initial shot had been half-checked by keeper Thorsten Stuckmann.

It was his fourth goal in five games, and his seventh goal of the campaign, arriving on 55 minutes.

“Jabo is brilliant. He works so hard for the team,” enthused Sears.

“He’s the sort of player that you love having around.

“It’s like the Emile Heskey and Michael Owen relationship. Jabo works really hard, and I try to get on the end of his knock-downs.

“Jabo had a shot, which came off the keeper, and I managed to knock it in. That’s four goals in five for me, so I’m delighted.”

Asked, jokingly, whether he considered himself to be the equivalent pint-sized goal-poacher Owen, or the big target man Heskey, Sears added: “I think I’m Owen, just about!”

The U’s next match is away at promotion-chasing Sheffield United next Saturday.