WANDERERS manager Neil Lennon is backing Jermaine Beckford to hit the goal trail but admits he needs a little help from his friends.

Lennon picked the frontman in his first Whites XI at Birmingham as the team handed the new manager victory in his first game in charge.

His second comes tonight at Charlton and Beckford is again expected to get the nod up front after being praised by Lennon for his display at the weekend.

But the boss says the service to the frontline needs to improve at The Valley.

Lennon told The Bolton News: “Jermaine was in some great positions on Saturday and at times we missed the pass.

“You have to get the service right and it is something we need to work on.

“I was very pleased with his performance and what he brought to the team.

‘He will score goals because he is a natural goalscorer – it’s in his DNA.

“He may be the type that gets a goal then goes on a streak “Whatever way they come, he is more than capable of getting 15-20 goals a season.”

Lennon believes the positive display of Chung-Yong Lee on Saturday and the imminent return of Mark Davies, who trained yesterday and has travelled to the capital, could be the catalyst that provides that improvement to the supply line in the final third.

Davies may not be involved tonight but Lennon is excited about his return to fitness.

The Whites boss added: “Mark trained yesterday. He has been on the cusp of training for the last week or so.

“He will travel so we will bear him in mind.

“To have him back will be great because it gives us an attacking thrust and a different one.

“It is the same with Chungy – they are payers who can take the game by the scruff of the neck.

“I felt we could have done a little bit better in the final third on Saturday.

“We lacked a little bit of quality at times and game management which will come with confidence.”

Lennon is not getting carried away with just one win as Wanderers boss but was pleased with the team’s display at St Andrew’s after just a week with him on the training ground.

He said: “I was thrilled with the result and the performance but I think there is far more to come from the team.

“A clean sheet was brilliant as well.

“We pressed higher up the pitch and the two centre-halves gave us a great platform.

“They were resolute and strong and in front of them (Neil) Danns and (Jay) Spearing were excellent as well.

“It was a good team performance “There was a big improvement on the away performances I had seen on DVD.

“They have taken on board what we have been saying to them in the short space of time I have worked with them.

“It was pleasing they are trying to implement things we have spoken about.

“It is finding the right formation that suits the players.

“We started off one way at the weekend but whether that is the way we play going forward I am not sure.”

Wanderers head into the game with no fresh injuries from the weekend, but Lennon says loanee Chris Herd could miss out again with an Achilles injury.

Dean Moxey did receive a knock at Birmingham but is expected to be ok for the trip to South London.

Lennon said: “Everyone came through the game relatively unscathed.

“The only real doubt is Chris Herd who has an ongoing Achilles problem so we have to wait and see how he is.

“Dean Moxey had a bang on his knee but should be okay.”