PRIZED asset Jon Stead aims to become the division's hottest shot tomorrow and help Town mark Peter Jackson's 100th League match at the helm with a victory against Scunthorpe (3.00).
The 20-year-old has been firmly in the headlines since Town rejected an £800,000 bid from Sunderland, and he plans to stay there by doing what he does best in front of 1,000 travelling fans at Glanford Park.
Town's homegrown gem is tied with Swansea's Lee Trundle on 11 goals for the season, but he is determined to grab the hot-shot honour for himself and underline to the supporters how happy he is to be a part of a McAlpine promotion surge.
"It would be fantastic to earn a win tomorrow and, as I've been chasing Trundle for a while, I'd love to score and go to the top of the Third Division scoring chart," said Stead today, ready for the all-ticket clash.
"I'm not going to let the speculation about a move affect me because it happens to everyone at some stage in their career.
"The gaffer has encouraged me just to concentrate on playing well and that's what I intend to do.
"I love playing for Town, especially when things are going so well, and I am perfectly happy here.
"I am certainly not looking for a move, but I do want to play at the highest level possible and it's obvious that if chances come my way to do that then I've got to look at them.
"That decision is out of my hands at the moment, though, and I won't even think about it until the situation changes.
"Right now, I'm just happy to carry on doing my best for Town and, hopefully, to help us get an important win tomorrow over at Scunthorpe."
Stead admits that if he could get the winner tomorrow it would feel "very special" after a week of discussions over his future, particularly if it helped keep Town in the play-off positions.
A posse of clubs can catch Jackson's men if they slip up, while Town cannot climb because sixth-placed Mansfield are four points in front.
It all adds to the spice for Jackson, who hopes to chalk a 37th League win of his two eventful spells in charge.
"Considering the situation I've inherited on both occasions I've come in here, I'm quite pleased with my record and it would be nice to get a win on a nice little milestone tomorrow," said Jackson, who includes Ian Hughes in a squad of 19.
"The game is all about trying to get three points, though, because we are keen to improve our away record and maintain our place in the top seven."
Jackson is without suspended midfielder Jon Worthington and he will not reveal the replacement until tomorrow. Chris Holland, Paul Scott and Dwayne Mattis are all waiting for the nod, while David Mirfin is a further option against a Scunthorpe side who have drawn four of eight home games so far.
"We need to be very positive in attack and defence because Scunthorpe reached the play-offs last season, they've got dangerous players in Peter Beagrie, Steve Torpey and Steve MacLean from Rangers (nine goals) and they're a difficult proposition," said Jackson, who confirmed that Jon Newby (knee) will have an operation on Monday.
"They will be looking to get back on track and are capable of putting a good run together, so we have to make sure they don't start with us.
"We will have another good following over there and, if we play like we can, then I'm confident we can get the right result."
Scunthorpe, in 12th, have Matt Sparrow back from a one-match ban to play wide on the right. While MacLean has scored nine to lead their chart, he has notched only once in the last six matches and Ian Gray - Town's only ever-present, will be keen to make it one in seven.
No tickets will be on sale at Glanford Park tomorrow. They will be available from 9am to 11am at the McAlpine priced £14 for adults and £8 concessions.
Scunthorpe - (probable): Russell, Jackson, Byrne, Butler, Sharp, Sparrow, Barwick, Kilford, Beagrie, Torpey, MacLean.
Town - (from): Gray, Holdsworth, Carss, Yates, Sodje, Clarke, Fowler, Schofield, Booth, Stead, Holland, Scott, Mirfin, Mattis, Brown, Senior, Hughes, Lloyd.
Referee - Tony Bates (Stoke).
Next story
