MARK Beevers has faith that Wanderers’ goal-scoring problems will soon come to an end.

Phil Parkinson’s side have averaged just a single goal from each of their 10 League One games so far, a total which must be improved upon if the Whites are going to stay in the promotion pack.

Sammy Ameobi, James Henry, Jamie Proctor and Zach Clough are still waiting for their first league goal of the campaign but Beevers, who has in contrast been a part of the division’s second most miserly defence, feels all that is about to change.

“For me, what I’ve learned down the years is that if you’re creating chances then eventually they will end up in the back of the net,” he told The Bolton News. “If you are making opportunities – as we are – then I don’t see it as an issue that is going to bother you for very long.

“You have to have belief. Sometimes you just need it to click and everything starts falling into place, and I don’t think we’re far off giving someone a rout. If that first goal came along early enough I’d back us to go and score more. I don’t think the situation is quite as alarming as some people seem to be suggesting.”

Beevers recently managed to open his own goal-scoring account, sweeping home from close range in the 1-1 draw against MK Dons.

Extra emphasis has been put on set pieces under Parkinson this season, with the Whites boss keen to make use of the physical attributes in his squad. As one of a handful of six-foot plus players, Beevers has been given extra license to venture forward with defensive partner David Wheater. Dean Moxey’s long throw has also become a potent weapon in the Wanderers’ arsenal – and the defender hopes another chance falls his way against Oxford .

“The gaffer doesn’t put pressure on defenders to score goals but both me and Wheats are big lads and I think five or six goals in a season isn’t too much to ask. It’s certainly my target,” he said.

“We always do our homework at set pieces, both for and against, and it’d be nice to think another one would drop my way like it did against MK Dons.”

Beevers missed the midweek Rochdale defeat after finally succumbing to an illness which had first struck last weekend against Bradford. He returned to training yesterday for the first time and with Gary Madine also stepping up his workload following a groin injury, Parkinson’s hand is looking stronger as Bolton welcome an Oxford side for the first time this millennium.

Michael Appleton’s newly-promoted side will start as outsiders at the Macron but as Wanderers found out to their cost just a few days ago, reputations count for little at this level.

While Beevers is confident the slump is only temporary, he knows the Whites cannot afford to underestimate anyone.

“We don’t go into any game thinking ‘we’re going to turn them over’ because you have to earn your right to do anything in football. You won’t win games unless you have the right attitude,” he said. Oxford are no different than any other opponent in this division. We treat them with respect.”