Mclean was the top scorer in the entire Football League last season - when he missed only one game due to a suspension - as his 29 goals played a major part in propelling Posh to promotion.

But one goal in five competitive matches so far this season has frustrated the 25 year-old. He scored in each of the first four league games last season as he set a new Posh record of scoring in eight consecutive matches.

Mclean said: "If I don't score goals I will lose my place in the side, it's as simple as that. That's my job in the team and of course I'm frustrated that I haven't scored more.

"But I have a lot of faith in my ability and if we keep creating chances I know I will score my fair share."

Mclean is a certainty to start tomorrow's League One clash with Bristol Rovers at London Road tomorrow (12.15pm), a match that will be screened live on Sky Sports.

And he retains the faith of manager Darren Ferguson who believes a flurry of goals for Mclean and regular strike partner Craig Mackail-Smith is imminent.

Ferguson said: "I have a lot of faith in both strikers. I know defenders hate playing against them because they both work so hard.

"I'd be more worried if we weren't creating chances and playing poorly, but that's simply not been the case.

"We have a lot of attacking ability in the side and if we keep the level of performance that we displayed against Hartlepool up, but convert more of our chances we will be fine tomorrow.

"We could have been 3-0 up at half-time last weekend. We played very well, but we were let down by individual errors."


Ferguson hopes to boost his squad by signing Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson on loan next week. The 20 year-old was a Posh target in the summer, but preferred to spend pre-season training with United.

A failure to break into the United first-team squad has prompted a re-think and Ferguson expects to have the player available for next weekend's local derby at Northampton.

Gibson has made just one substitute appearance for United in a Carling Cup tie, but he played 21 times for Wolves in the Championship last season.

He also scored a spectacular long-range goal for United in their 2-0 friendly win against Posh at London Road in August.


FORMER Posh striker Danny Crow has held talks with Blue Square Premier League club Cambridge United. Crow saw his Posh contract cancelled by mutual consent earlier this week.