COLIN Todd is convinced Nathan Blake can give up to 15 per cent more to help Wanderers in their desperate bid for Premiership survival.

But that's no criticism of the Reebok top scorer, whose performances have confirmed his club manager's opinion that he is one of the most dangerous strikers in the business and impressed Bobby Gould enough to regard him as an automatic choice for Wales.

"I've never had any doubts about Nathan," Todd said, "and always thought he was a handful for defenders.

"He already had a lot going for him and he has improved a lot in certain areas, such as receiving and spinning away from defenders.

But I've taken him to one side and talked to him about other areas which I believe can increase his effectiveness by 10 or 15 per cent that will help the team considerably.

"Areas that I know, as having been a defender, where he can make an even bigger impact." It was no surprise to see a broad grin on Gould's face as he left the directors' box at Anfield last Saturday after seeing Blake's performance. Despite Wanderers having lost their way in the second half and the game drifting into injury-time, he saw the Cardiff-born striker summon up the power and the pace to leave Steve Harkness for dead and create a scoring chance for himself, which he unfortunately squandered.

They've had their much-publicised disagreements in the past and it's hard to see them ever being bosom buddies.

But Gould's no fool and with such a powerful and improving talent as Blake around, he is not going to let personal differences affect crucial team selections as he prepares for the European Championship qualifying campaign..

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