Brabin backs Barnes-Homer to find his scoring touch

The 25-year-old is Town’s leading scorer with 17 goals this season, but has only netted three times in his last 20 games and is without a goal in six matches.

He has been on the bench for the last four games, but looked hungry after coming on as a second half substitute at Mansfield on Saturday and Brabin said: “That’s what I want. Matthew could be anything he wants to be, but I understand the frustrating side of Matthew as well.

“What I’m trying to get is all the players wanting to play in the first team and they have to show that day in day out. I expect them to give me everything they’ve got and enjoy doing that.”

Barnes-Homer still remains in Brabin’s thoughts for the final four games of the season as does youngster Dan Walker, who pushed his case for selection further with both goals in the reserves’ recent 2-0 win over Colcheter United.

Brabin continued: “Everyone knows my thoughts on Dan Walker, I’m a big fan of Dan Walker.

“He’s definitely in my thoughts, but more importantly, Dan is playing games at the moment. That was one of the reasons why we sent him on loan, now he’s come back, played the reserve games and he’s certainly one in my mind.

“He travelled with the squad on Saturday, but was unlucky not to get a shirt and he’s in squad for York.”