Sam's the man for us - GraysonLeeds United manager Simon Grayson has given his backing to on-loan striker Sam Vokes, insisting the youngster should not be worried about his lack of goals.
Vokes endured a frustrating evening at Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night as a series of chances went begging during United's 2-0 victory, his fifth match without a goal.
The 20-year-old has featured regularly for Leeds since his transfer to Elland Road on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in October, and his seven league starts have coincided with six victories, the most recent coming at Boundary Park.
A goal at Bristol Rovers on October 27 has been his only strike so far but Vokes earned Grayson's praise after completing 77 minutes of Tuesday's defeat of Oldham, a result which kept Leeds six points clear at the top of League One.
Grayson said: "He's being unfortunate at the moment. Every time he gets through on goal, the ball seems to be bouncing up and around his hips and chest instead of falling for him.
"But he works very hard for the team and he's done a good job for us. I've no doubt that once he gets another goal, they'll start flying in for him."
Vokes was signed by Leeds after first-choice forward Luciano Becchio injured ankle ligaments in a goalless draw against Charlton Athletic at the start of October, and he was preferred on Tuesday to both Jermaine Beckford and Becchio, who were named on the bench at Oldham.
Grayson has the option of re-establishing his long-standing strike partnership against Huddersfield Town on Saturday with Becchio back to full fitness after almost two months on the sidelines.