FANS favourite John McAliskey can't wait to bounce back to scoring form for Town.

The local hero has notched just once this season after exploding on the promotion scene last term with four goals in just a handful of starts.

Since scoring in the 2-1 win against Peterborough back in August, however, McAliskey's form and confidence has dipped and he's started just one other match, the ill-fated LDV Vans Trophy tie at Blackpool.

McAliskey, 20, accepts that leading scorer Pawel Abbott, Junior Mendes and Andy Booth have been delivering the goods for Peter Jackson's side.

But he's determined to overcome the latest in a series of niggling injury problems and make the most of his next chance when it comes along.

"The gaffer has just told me to be patient and to keep plugging away," said McAliskey, who was watched by Blackburn Rovers last season and who returned to training with the full squad on Thursday.

"It gets your confidence down a little bit when you're not playing, but the gaffer says he's got every faith in me and that I've just got to aim to take my chance when it comes.

"I know things can turn around very quickly.

"Let's face it, this time last year nobody knew who I was and yet I got a few goals and ended up with a play-off winners' medal."

McAliskey, who signed a two-year contract last term, is grateful for the help of one of his Town teammates while he's been on the fringe of the senior set-up.

"Steve Yates has been taking me to the gym twice a week to do some upper-body weights to make me stronger," he explained.

"It feels as though it is helping me a lot and I'm going to keep on with the programme and look to build myself up even more.

"Obviously I want to get back in the first team if I can, but Junior and Pav have been scoring goals for fun and I'll have to wait for my chance.

"What I've got to do is play as well as I can for the Reserves, hopefully get among the goals and then, when a first-team chance comes along, aim to take it."

Golcar born and bred, McAliskey has undoubted talent. His ball skills taunted Blackpool at times the other week and he created two or three scoring chances for himself which he was very disappointed not to convert.

"I want to get back to scoring goals," he admitted.

"I'll always keep trying bits of skills and tricks because that's what I'm like as a player.

"It's not something I practice or plan for, it's just something which happens when I'm out on the pitch and it either comes off or it doesn't.

"I would have been a lot happier against Blackpool if I'd scored and, certainly, if we'd got a better result - (Town, down to 10 men, were beaten 6-3 after extra-time) - but hopefully the chances will go in next time."