Mark Robins hailed the workrate which helped bring Nahki Wells his first pre-season goal in front of Town’s fans and insisted there will be more to come this term.

The club-record £1.3m signing who notched seven times after his switch from Bradford City in January was on the mark as Town lost 3-1 at Oldham on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Bermudian last found the net in the 3-1 behind-closed-doors win over AEL Limassol at PPG Canalside last month.

Manager Robins, whose side host Premier League Newcastle on Tuesday before Saturday’s big Championship opener at home to Bournemouth, said: “That goal will have done him the world of good.

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“Nahki lives to score, and if he is not doing it, he feels he is not taking part in the game.

“Of course that is not true because he runs his socks off.

“I have no qualms about his ability to get goals, but it was still good to see that one hit the back of the net.”

Striker James Vaughan’s tight calf meant the striker missed a third successive pre-season game.

Midfielder Jonathan Hogg was absent because of a bout of illness, but is due to make a quick return to training and could face Newcastle.

Centre-back Anthony Gerrard (calf) and midfielder Oscar Gobern (toe) remain sidelined.

But frontman Danny Ward made his return from a hamstring problem, playing the second half.

James Dayton, skipper Liam Kelly and Jonson Clarke-Harris earned Oldham their second friendly win over Town in as many seasons in a game seen by 1,885 (450 away).