Leon Osborne has been reassured that his first City goal is on the way.

The rookie striker is still waiting to break his professional duck after missing two good chances against Barnet.

But boss Peter Taylor reckons there is no need to fret. He has seen enough in the 20-year-old’s performances to confidently predict that a debut strike is in the offing.

Taylor said: “I thought he deserved a goal because there were so many good things about his play.

“He needs that bit more end product, which will come with more games and as he gains more experience.

“His first goal will come at the right time. The most important thing he has got to do is keep working as he has been.

“Keep doing that and he will score. He doesn’t need to try too hard.

“He will learn to suss out the little things that will make him better. Leon looks a good player to me.”

Osborne has had to wait for his opportunity to impress Taylor. He came off the bench for half an hour at Bournemouth on Easter Saturday before starting the last two games.

Taylor sees similarities in him with Wycombe winger Matt Phillips last season – a youngster who became a regular under his command.

Phillips, who became the club’s youngest scorer in their league history, emerged from the shadows to make 40 appearances for Taylor’s team which won League Two promotion.

Taylor added: “Leon reminds me of Matty Phillips. I’d not seen him before but he got his chance and turned out to be a very talented player.

“I learned a long time ago that you never know what you’ve got in the building and some people will surprise you.

“I looked at the squad when I got the job and I didn’t know a lot about Leon. But I think he’s doing very well.”