Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is backing record signing Nicky Maynard to find his scoring touch sooner rather than later.Maynard, a £2.25million summer signing from Crewe, struggled in front of goal in City's first Championship game of the season at Blackpool.

The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Belgian side Royal Antwerp the previous week and was the focus of attention at Bloomfield Road. But Maynard's first league appearance in a City shirt ended in disappointment after he squandered a golden opportunity in the 65th minute to open his account for the club.

Johnson has defended the young striker and has tipped him to shine in the Championship.

"Nicky Maynard will be in double figures for goals come the end of the season. I don't doubt that for one moment," said Johnson.

"I want my strikers to get themselves in dangerous positions and to pose a threat in the penalty area. Although he had a bit of a quiet game, Nicky still did that and, on another day, could easily have had a couple of goals."

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