Sam Surridge is relishing getting the chance to lead the line for Nottingham Forest in the final sprint for promotion.
The striker made it two in two as he scored the winner at Peterborough United on Saturday, on what was his second Championship start for the club. And that took his tally in the Garibaldi to five goals in 16 appearances since his January move from Stoke City.
More responsibility may well yet fall on his shoulders in the coming weeks, too. The Reds have an injury concern over Lewis Grabban, who had to be substituted barely 15 minutes after coming off the bench at London Road, while Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis remains sidelined.
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Any length of absence for Grabban would leave Surridge as the only senior out-and-out striker heading into the final four games of the regular campaign. But there is still plenty of other goal-threat throughout the side, with Brennan Johnson Forest’s top scorer on 15 for the season.
“I don’t think it would be all on me. Brennan’s been brilliant as well,” said Surridge.
“Everyone has put in good performances. Anyone who has come in has done well, like Toby (Figueiredo) with Steve (Cook) out and Jack (Colback) at left-back.
“We’ve all just tried to slot in when we can. It’s going to be a team effort between now and the end of the season.
“There will be other people needing to step up as well. As long as we keep focusing on the main goal, we’ll get there.
“Leading the line for Forest is big. I probably didn’t expect it too early when I was coming in in January. But at the same time, I did expect it because that’s what I want to be doing.
“I always had it in the back of my head what I want to do. I’ve just got to keep putting in the hard yards on the training ground, and hopefully keep doing it on the pitch as well.
“Before Saturday, I felt confident that if I got a chance I’d score. It maybe could have been three or four, but we’ll take 1-0. We showed a different side to us.
“For myself, I’ve just got to keep focusing on the next game, which is Fulham. I’ve just got to keep putting in good performances.”
