If David Wagner is hoping to coax more goals out of his misfiring Huddersfield Town strikers, Jamie Paterson should be jumping straight to the front of the queue.

With more than a third of the season gone, the Nottingham Forest loanee is Town’s deadliest marksman.

The 23-year-old has scored twice in his eight league appearances since moving to the John Smith’s Stadium in the summer - but has taken just seven shots on goal.

And with Town’s struggles in front of goal well-documented, it should point to an increased role for the team’s most accurate forward.

Huddersfield Town v MK Dons at the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield.Jamie Paterson celebrates scoring Towns second goal.

In his seven games under former boss Chris Powell Jamie was used from the bench on four occasions - often only getting the last 10 minutes to showcase his talents, and completed the full 90 minutes on one occasion.

Paterson was forced to wait for his first appearance under Wagner, but he was handed a starting place as soon as he could prove his fitness - evidence that Wagner sees a place for the Coventry-born forward in his plans, although it is too early to tell whether Town will be exercising their option to buy under the terms of his loan deal.

A popular figure with Huddersfield fans, Paterson’s contribution is far from limited to his shot conversion rate.

He’s also created 11 goalscoring opportunities - but he’s still waiting for someone to stick the ball in the back of the net on one of these occasions, so he has still not yet been credited with an assist.

However, the former Walsall player believes that the new regime, which prioritises high pressing and the passing game, means that his performances and his numbers will only get better under Wagner.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Paterson didn’t get much change out of a strong Middlesbrough defence last weekend and was withdrawn during the second period, but still only 23, regular football is bound to be of considerable benefit.

Town have had an average of 8.6 shots per game during the 2015/16 season, and against Middlesbrough they had just six. If chances are at a premium, scoring goals and winning games will rely on the forwards being more clinical in the opposition’s penalty area.

Another of town’s loanees, Emyr Huws, has the second highest conversion rate - with four goals from 17 attempts, while fellow top scorer Nahki Wells has taken the most shots of any Town player and has a conversion rate of just 16%.

It remains to be seen whether Wagner’s system suits Wells, who hasn’t flourished in a lone striker role in his career so far.

Wagner will be relieved to have Harry Bunn back in the squad after serving a one-match suspension against Boro. Although the former Manchester City youngster has the lowest conversion rate of all Town’s goalscorers so far this season, he leads the way in the assist charts.

Fans and players alike are enjoying the more attractive brand of football served up under Wagner, but goals remain in short supply.

The Terriers will kick off at St Andrew's in the relegation places and need to start collecting points.

An extended run for Paterson could provide the answer.