It’s easy to describe a hard-working player as one who covers every inch of the field.

But in the case of Gareth Evans, it’s probably true.

There cannot be a blade of the Valley Parade grass that the striker has not trampled on during one of his hectic Saturday afternoon shifts. He could never be accused of not giving his all for the cause.

Opposing defenders always know when Evans is around. The moment they try to take an extra touch at the back or fatally allow a loose ball to bounce, he is on them and snapping away at their heels.

It is a quality that has already endeared the former Macclesfield man with the fans. And something that reflects the new energy and enthusiasm about this season’s side.

Evans’s goal on Saturday was proof that there is no such thing as a lost cause as Michael Flynn harried Burton’s back four into a panicky mistake to set up the frontman for a comfortable finish.

His ability to hassle and harry defenders was one of the big attractions for Stuart McCall when he nicked Evans from Lincoln’s clutches in the summer.

Evans himself sees it as a natural part of the game.

He said: “It’s the minimum requirement these days. You’ve got to run round just to try and stay in the team.

“It’s always been part of my game to work hard and keep closing people down.

“But the manager has put together 18 players who are willing to do that which has got to be a good thing. It’s not something we particularly work on but the desire is there. All the lads that the manager has brought in are hard workers, all young and they all want to make their way in the game.”

The blossoming partnership between Evans and James Hanson is proof of City’s new order, which has seen established hitmen Peter Thorne and Michael Boulding drop down the pecking order.

Evans is relishing playing with Hanson and the aerial command that he brings.

He added: “You don’t have to be a genius to work out that James is pretty good at heading.

“Everyone runs on from his flicks and if you keep doing it again and again and again, the ball’s going to fall to you eventually, as it did for my goal at the weekend.

“A lot of managers like a little and large pair up front. We can both head the ball but obviously he’s better at it than me.

“It’s good knowing that when the ball’s in the air, you’ve always got a chance of getting in their box from it.

“We try to play a lot of football at this club but I know that when we do go longer like that and knock it to James, I’ve always got the opportunity to get on the end of his headers.”

Evans went into the campaign aiming to top the dozen goals he netted last season with Macc. After his third in City colours, he is well on the way.

“I’ve not set myself an actual target. The most important thing is that the team pushes on towards the play-offs.

“Every striker wants to hit the 15-20 mark but we’ll see how it goes. I’m just happy we’re picking up the points and if my goals can help that, then it makes it even better.

“I love playing for this club and love being in the side. So my target is about playing regularly and hopefully scoring as many as I can.”