Tony Mowbray hopes Ishmael Miller's FA Cup equaliser against Charlton can be a catalyst for goals - just as Kevin Phillips did on his return from injury. The on loan
Miller's first goal since the 3-0 win at Vicarage Road back in November take his tally for the season into double figures during his first full 90 minutes since his four-week lay-off with injury.
Mowbray has now challenged Miller to follow his strike partner's example starting with Saturday's visit to 9th place
"Ishmael will have been sat there happy the team was scoring while he was injured," Mowbray said.
"But generally strikers are selfish by nature and I'm pretty sure he wanted to get back scoring pretty quickly.
"I'm delighted for him and let's hope it's the first of many.
"When Kevin came back he got straight back to scoring goals and let's hope Ishmael can continue in that vein."
During the 20-year-old's spell on the sidelines Roman Bednar received all the plaudits with an excellent run of 7 goals in 8 matches before falling foul of injury himself. Now both strikers are fit and in contention, along with Kevin Phillips and Craig Beattie, for a starting berth Mowbray faces a taxing decision.
"My anticipation is that Ishmael will score lots of goals again in the second half of the season, if he is given the opportunity to play," Mowbray admitted.
"He has now got lots more competition.
"Roman Bednar has stepped up to the plate and scored almost on a goal-a-game basis.
"But given a similar amount of minutes on the pitch I don't see why Ishmael shouldn't continue to keep on scoring goals.
"His main asset is his pace and that could get sussed out because people could defend a lot deeper.
"But when people defend deep against Ishmael he has got such good strength and technical ability that he gets shots away.
"Once he scored one at the weekend he had two or three other shots from the edge of the box, which people can¹t stop because he is so strong and powerful and has quick feet.
"I would anticipate the goals will keep coming."