Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has told Jabo Ibehre he feels the striker is trying too hard to end his barren goalscoring run.

The powerhouse forward has scored only once in his last 12 League One games and drew another blank in the 1-0 win at former club Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Hutchings suspects the 26-year-old is so desperate for a goal he is putting too much pressure on himself.

The manager said: “Possibly he is – sometimes you get a lack of confidence when you haven’t scored for a while, but he’s contributing in other ways.

“It will be nice for Jabo to start scoring again. He’s had a few chances and he’s been working hard in training. I’m sure the tide will turn for him.”

Ibehre, who has scored seven goals this season, has profited from Michael Ricketts’ five-match suspension as regards appearances but hasn’t scored since coming off the bench to net in the 2-0 win at Northampton last month.

Hutchings expects the hitman to find his form again – because of his immense workrate.

He said: “Strikers have good runs and bad runs as regards scoring but, as long as he’s contributing and putting himself about like he did on Saturday, then we can ask no more.

“Jabo is working extremely hard on the ball and off, so I’m sure his chances will come.”

Strike partner Troy Deeney has hit nine goals in the last 15 games to rocket to first-choice forward but is not the only one finding the net.

Mark Bradley has two goals in two games, while midfield colleagues Alex Nicholls and Stephen Hughes have also scored in recent weeks.

Defender Anthony Gerrard notched last Tuesday, something which is pleasing Hutchings.

He said: “That’s nice that it’s not only Troy who’s scoring goals – we’ve said before that everyone has to contribute in the scoring stakes.

“In recent weeks it’s been happening.”