Gillingham boss Mark Stimson has backed his star striker Simeon Jackson to rediscover his scoring form.

Jackson hasn’t netted from open play since Gillingham’s FA Cup game against Aston Villa, and not in the league for the last eight matches, but it’s not worrying Stimson.

“I expect one to come along very soon,” said Stimson. “This week in training he was outstanding again. People have finished and gone home and he’s still out there shooting. That shows the desire of the kid.

“He just needs someone else to take the weight off his shoulders and help him. He’ll come good and score more goals come the end of the season.”

The goal against Villa and his place among the leading scorers in League 2 mean he’s going to be a target for defenders, something Stimson believed Bradford executed to good affect last Saturday.

Stimson said: “They were really tight against him but then it’s up to others to make space for him or for us to play different types of balls into him.”

Jackson’s last outfield goal in the league was against Brentford in December but he has scored recently against Port Vale and Lincoln from the penalty spot. He currently has 14 goals to his name.

Click the audio link above to listen to Gills manager Mark Stimson talking about Simeon Jackson.