LEE CLARK believes his free-scoring Town players can only get better with the help of ex-England ace Andrew Cole.

Clark watched his side send out a signal of League I intent with a 7-1 drubbing of Brighton last night.

Then he confirmed his former Newcastle and Fulham teammate Cole, the second-highest scorer in Premier League history who watched last night’s game, will visit the club at least twice a week to work on finishing.

Antony Kay notched a 21st-minute opener at the Galpharm, then, after ex-Town loan man Liam Dickinson levelled in the 34th minute, Peter Clarke (35th minute) and Lee Novak, with a 42nd-minute penalty, netted their first goals for the club.

Brighton had keeper Michel Kuipers sent off for the foul on Novak which led to the penalty.

And while five-goal top scorer Jordan Rhodes missed a second spot kick on 53 minutes, Town pressed home their numerical superiority through Gary Roberts (64th minute), on-loan Manchester United man Danny Drinkwater (69th) and Theo Robinson (73rd and 90th).

It was Town’s best goal return since Crystal Palace were beaten 7-1 early in the 1999-2000 Championship campaign, and Clark’s side have now netted 15 goals in four games so far this season.

“We played some sensational stuff, and as well as scoring seven times, missed a penalty and hit a post (through Drinkwater),” said Clark.

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“We’ve got goals coming from a string of different players at the moment, and the good thing is, they can only get better. You never stop learning, and with someone like Andrew Cole to teach you, the outlook must be good.”

Clark also warned players and fans alike not to get carried away, adding: “It’s so far, so good, but not every game will be like this.

“There will be times we have to grind out results and we must maintain our focus, starting today as we prepare to go to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.”