Tony Mowbray says Dominic Samuel will continue get opportunities despite his barren run in front of goal, though Danny Graham remains his go-to striker.

Samuel is without a League One goal since November when he came off the bench to score in the win over Bristol Rovers.

That was one of three winning goals that Samuel has netted in Rovers colours since his £500,000 summer switch from Reading.

However, the form of Graham, who has eight goals this calendar year and 16 in all, has seen him used mainly as a substitute, starting just twice in his preferred central striking role in 2018.

On how to manage the confidence levels of the 24-year-old, Mowbray said: “Keep encouraging him, giving him opportunities on the grass.

“The way we play and set the team up, Danny Graham has proven as the second half of the season has gone on that he has scored on a regular basis.

“Dominic understands all number nines and centre forwards have to, and want to, score goals.

“But they need opportunities to do that and with only five games to go we will see how many opportunities he gets.

“The longer-term for him is that he has to get himself to be the main man up front for this club and this team.

“At the moment Danny holds that shirt, but Danny is of an age and type of footballer where rarely he gets through the 90 minutes at the level we want him to play at so Dominic will get opportunities.

“It’s a difficult situation for him but it’s football, it’s competition, that’s what happens in this industry.”

Samuel scored four times in his first six outings, but a brace in an FA Cup against Crewe in December were his last goals.

Mowbray admits that Samuel does offer qualities which could see him recalled to the starting line-up in the remaining five matches.

But the boss says the striker understands the situation in which he currently finds himself.

He said: “Dominic is a good lad and will be disappointed that he’s not starting in this team.

“At this moment with the balance of the team we’ve got, in both boxes Danny Graham is a big plus for us but in certain games if we’re playing against teams that press high but have big, strong defenders we can use his power and his speed to run in behind.

“At this moment we’re choosing a different option but he has to keep working hard in training, he understands that.”