NEIL Lennon has given young strike star Max Clayton an early vote of confidence as he heads towards his first match in charge at Birmingham City.

The new Wanderers boss has been analysing his options up front, hinting that he could pair two of four senior players at St Andrew’s.

Jermaine Beckford, Craig Davies and Joe Mason are the most experienced strikers at his disposal but Lennon has been impressed by his first look at new signing Clayton, who only recently joined the Whites from Crewe.

“He’s fit now and I quite like the look of him,” said the Northern Irishman.

“We need to find a recipe to start scoring more goals and that means getting the right service as well.

“There are some good strikers here. Over his career, Jermaine Beckford has a good scoring record, he’s a good athlete and his movement is very good. I have looked at him before.

“Joe Mason has definitely got goals in him and Craig Davies is a target man who can also get you a goal. There is a decent mix there.”

Lennon hopes the feel-good factor that has accompanied his arrival at Wanderers can now translate into results.

The new boss has been delighted with the response he has got since being announced as Dougie Freedman’s successor at the start of the week.

“The two most important facets of football are the supporters and the players,” he said. “To get both onside - we'll try and do that as quickly as possible.

“Bolton is a hotbed of football. If we can get them onside there could be a tidal wave of supporting coming.

“They need a lift, the players need a lift, the people at board level who run the club and put so much in need a lift. That's my job, to try and do that.”

Following the departure of Jamie Fullarton this week it is expected that Andy Hughes will be given the chance to coach the development squad.

The Under-21s’ next game is at home to Stoke City on Monday, October 21 and is expected to be played at the Macron Stadium.