Proctor eyes centre forward role

The striker scored a crucial goal on Saturday, just seconds after coming off the bench, to help Town earn a 3-3 draw with Bristol City.

And manager Graham Alexander has revealed how the 22-year-old is desperate to prove himself one of the division’s top forwards

The Town boss told The Gazette: “He wants to be a major number nine.

“To do that you have to score goals. He’s scored one on Saturday. He’s put himself about and got us back in the game.”

Proctor was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s clash against the league leaders but Alexander is delighted with how he responded, both on and off the pitch.

He added: “Jamie took being left out as a true professional. If he puts in the work, I believe he can get out of the game what he wants.”

Town had scored only once in five League One matches before Saturday.

Alexander has always insisted would give chances to those within his own set-up before looking outside the club.

And he was true to his word at the weekend when he brought Matty Hughes off the bench for the final 18 minutes, the youngster playing a key role in Stephen Dobbie’s equaliser.

And the performance against the Robins has convinced Alexander he doesn’t have to look elsewhere.

“I don’t look outside this squad wishing I had other players,” he said. “We’ve got David Ball and Stephen Dobbie, and there’s Matty Hughes who we have pushed forward in training.

“We know we’ve got the quality and I don’t think there’s any need to look elsewhere.

“They’ve shown last Saturday what they can do and I expect more of them this week as we work towards Peterborough on Saturday.”

Saturday’s game was a chance for the Fleetwood boss to go toe-to-toe with Steve Cotterill, the man who signed him for Burnley.

And Alexander admits it was a no-holds-barred, enjoyable experience, which convinced him that his Fleetwood side is still moving in the right direction.

“It felt great,” he said. “I’m a fierce competitor and so is Steve. “There were no friendly chats or anything like that before the game because we’re both competitors.

“But my focus is on my side and I feel we’re definitely going in the right direction.”

“I wish him all the best. They’ll definitely be up there with the quality of the squad and the club.

“We just need to keep up the hard work and ensure we stay on that track.”