Boss:We must not be too reliant onWyke

CHARLIE Wyke has scored more than 40 per cent of Sunderland’s League One goals so far - but Lee Johnson warns the Black Cats must not be ‘over-reliant’ on the in-form frontman.

Wyke’s 19 league goals mean he ranks second in the League One goalscorers’ table, eclipsed only by Jonson Clarke-Harris who has scored 21 times for leaders Peterborough United.

Wyke’s total represents just over 40 percent of Sunderland’s 47 league goals, while Clarke-Harris is responsible for just over 41 percent of his side’s 51-goal haul.

Other clubs have shared the goals around more, Hull’s 16-goal top scorer Mallik Wilks contributing only 30 percent of the Tigers’ tally while Lincoln’s Jorge Grant has notched 11 of the Imps’ 48 goals (23 percent), Portsmouth’s John Marquis has netted 13 of Pompey’s 48 goals (27 percent), and Doncaster’s Fejiri Okenabirhie has bagged nine of Rovers’ 49 goals (18 percent).

Johnson is delighted with Wyke’s hot streak but wants his other forward players such as Aiden O’Brien (three league goals), Lynden Gooch (three), and Aiden McGeady (two), to chip in more goals - because at present Sunderland’s promotion hopes appear to hinge on Wyke remaining fit and playing in almost every game.

Johnson said: “Any team needs a proven goalscorer - or to develop a proven goalscorer.

“At Bristol City I must have had four or five players who ended up scoring 20 goals a season.

“The way we play suits the strikers. If you are the number nine for our team, and you are half-decent, you will score goals because of the way we play.

“In terms of reliance we can’t be over-reliant on Charlie - everybody has to chip in - but it’s the important goals like against Swindon in midweek where you’re in control but the clock is ticking, time is draining away and you start getting edgy.

“Then bang goes Charlie’s finish and it’s fantastic.

“A top striker can slow down his mind’s eye in the box, be like ice in the box, and Charlie finished with that look.

“Charlie just has to keep on playing his game.

“The bit which is impressing me is his off-the-ball work.

“He is helping out the midfield, he’s pressing from the front - in the last 20 minutes against Swindon he was like a man possessed.

“That’s after a run of games and we haven’t been able to rest him!”

No player has started more league games for Sunderland this season than Wyke, who is currently level with goalkeeper Lee Burge and centre-back Bailey Wright on 26 starts.

With Wright out injured, Wyke (left) will become the outfielder with the greatest number of league starts when Sunderland take on Rochdale this afternoon. With Sunderland playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday between now and the end of the season, Johnson is conscious there may come a point where he needs to give Wyke a breather.

However, Wyke is showing no signs of fatigue at present, the 28-year-old having scored 12 goals in his last 12 league games - and 14 goals in his last 14 outings in all competitions.

Johnson added: “Yeah, there may well come a time when Charlie needs a break.

“I don’t see that at the moment though, to be honest.

“He is moving well, his recovery is good, he is in form and he is confident.”