YOU wouldn't normally think of Adam Nowakowski as a striker, but the veteran is on a hot streak for Bradford (Park Avenue) right now.

The 35-year-old tends to play in midfield, but he came on up front and scored in the loss at Alfreton Town a fortnight ago, before producing a real centre forward's finish to turn in the winner in Avenue's 3-2 home win over AFC Telford United last Saturday.

Bradford manager Mark Bower said: "He's good at holding the ball up and he gives us a platform when he plays as a striker, as he's able to get the lads around him like Brad Dockerty and Dylan Mottley-Henry on the ball in advanced areas.

"Adam came on at Alfreton and scored and I believe when someone comes in and does well, they've earned their right to play.

"He's taken his chance up front, but there will be times we have to chop and change this season, depending on who we come up against, so it's good that he can play in a variety of positions."

With Nowakowski adding to the list of potential strikers at Avenue, that has left no room for Akeel Francis, who was released on Sunday.

Bower explained: "Akeel wanted regular football and with the way the last few weeks have gone for us, we couldn't promise him that.

"He's versatile, so he can play up top or out wide, but that maybe hinders him, as he rarely gets a run of games in the same position.

"We've got a lot of potential options up front, in Adam, Dylan, Luke Rawson, Oli Johnson and Rob Guilfoyle (who is currently on loan at Worksop Town), so Akeel wasn't going to be able to get the number of games he would have liked here.

"He needs to go somewhere where he'll play regularly and hopefully that will help him rebuild his career."

Avenue host Spennymoor Town in the National League North tomorrow, looking to get another three points after that win over Telford.

Eighth-placed Spennymoor are looking to rebuild themselves, having suffered four defeats in a row.

But Bower warned: "We won't be fooled by those recent results, as they lost those games to Fylde, Kidderminster, Alfreton and Brackley, who are four of the division's strongest sides.

"It will still be a tough game, and we know they have one of the best strikers in the league in Glen Taylor.

"They're fortunate in that they've got decent resources and I know they're looking to buy a few players still this season, so I expect them to be challenging for the play-offs.

"But we've got a bit of confidence now after winning our last two home games."

Avenue should also have been hosting Gateshead next Monday, but that will have to be rearranged, with The Heed in FA Cup first round replay action against Altrincham on the Tuesday.

That could be good news for Luca Havern, who Bower said is set to miss this weekend after picking up a hamstring strain against Telford.

Ryan Toulson is not quite fit to return yet, while Oliver Arblaster is on international duty with England's U18s.

But Isaac Marriott will at least be coming back from suspension for Spennymoor.