McClure happy to be making breakthrough (From This Is Local London)

McClure happy to be making breakthrough

9:00am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in Latest Sport By Andy Carswell

TOP scorer Matt McClure said he's glad to finally get the chance to show what he's capable of.

The sharp shooting Northern Ireland U21 international has hit nine goals in 16 games this season after being given a place in the team by Gareth Ainsworth.

McClure didn't feature for Blues this season before Ainsworth was installed as manager in the wake of Gary Waddock's sacking, and the striker said the new boss was key to his revival in fortune.

He said: "Since Gaz has come in there's been a change in how I'm playing. He gives me confidence. If I make a mistake there's no problems.

"He's a similar sort of player to me. When he played he was running a lot, grinding his defender down and did all the horrible bits, which is my game. I'm not the most gifted technically but I run my legs off for the team."

Having made three starts and a further nine substitute appearances last season - bagging his first Wanderers goal in the process - McClure was looking to kick on and make more of an impression this time around.

Asked if he felt this would be his breakthrough season, he said: "I thought it would be. At the start of the season I wasn't getting the chances. I didn't have the best pre-season. I don't know what the reason for that was. I did everything right over the off season but I came back and it didn't really work for me."