Goal-ace Forte taking pressure in his stride

BOX OF TRICKS: Jonathan Forte gives another defender plenty to think about

IF THE pressure is weighing heavily on Jonathan Forte’s shoulders, it’s not showing.

Athletic’s top scorer was thrown back into the fray at Notts County last week after a two-game absence.

Now gearing up to face another of his former clubs, Scunthorpe, tomorrow at SportsDirect.com Park, five-goal Forte (28) has done more than his fair share in offering strike power from the left wing.

Despite making only seven appearances in 2014-15, the Sheffield-born speed merchant could easily be in double figures already.

If manager Lee Johnson chooses to throw him up front tomorrow in a bid to boost the scoring rate, Forte would prefer to play alongside a player with the physical attributes of Conor Wilkinson.

Having said that, he’s happy to remain out wide, chipping in where he can.

Asked if he felt extra responsibility for finding the net in a side that has struggled to do so, he says: “Not really. If you are playing out wide you want to contribute by scoring, but there isn’t as much pressure as being the front man. I like playing wide.”

With a week of training and a final course of injections in a persistent knee problem behind him, Forte should start to break free of the rustiness that contributed to a below-par show at Notts County.

“You want to train when you can and if you don’t, it will affect how you play on Saturday,” he admitted.

Forte’s searing bursts have ripped apart defences in Sky Bet League One in the early part of this season, and Russ Wilcox’s men won’t fancy facing the ex-Sheffield United trainee back in full-flow tomorrow.