After calmly notching his second goal of the season against Tranmere Rovers 13 days ago, Nicky Maynard is hoping to carry on where he left off with another promising performance against Leeds United this evening. There is a lot of expectation being placed on young Maynard's shoulders, as he returns from a long-term injury, but the Winsford-born striker has always strived under that added pressure having scored with his very first touch in senior football against Millwall on his debut.

Ahead of tonight's game Nicky told us: "I expect to take the responsibility for scoring goals for the side more than other people expect it from me.

"I set myself a high target and that is just the way I play and if things don't go my way I get easily frustrated.

"Sometimes that does affect my game. But I've got to learn to take the rough with the smooth and keep my head up and see how it goes.

"I don't think I've come back too soon and I've had no setbacks, touch wood. It hasn't all been plain sailing, though I feel I'm getting there. I've been getting a bit frustrated since I've been back."

Maynard netted a vital goal in our 4-3 win over Tranmere Rovers, but it was his overall performance in that particular match, which was the most pleasing aspect in his recovery from a broken leg. As expected it has taken him a bit of time to restore his confidence and match sharpness, but Maynard was a constant threat on Tranmere's goal and could have had a few more than the one he actually converted.

"I felt the Tranmere game was the best I've been since I've been back and hopefully I can push on from there now. It is sharpness more than anything because you can't recreate in training what happens in games. Obviously that is only going to come with the more games I play.

"But I think I have played enough games now to realise that the sharpness is coming back. It's frustrating not being able to play again after such a good win over Tranmere, not just for me, but the whole team.

"But I am sure when we do come back in we will build on this and get a win against Leeds.

"The break has given us time to recharge our batteries and we are looking to put in a good effort against Leeds.

Nick adds: "We're looking forward to pitting ourselves against the best team in the division and we don't think we're too far behind them and we'll give them a good test."