City are under captain’s orders to take the scoring load off Nahki Wells.

The Bermuda international has been in deadly form in front of goal as he closes in on the ambitious 30 target he set himself in the summer.

Wells, whose future will once again hog the spotlight when the transfer window reopens in just over a month, is already up to 13 – at a phenomenal rate of a goal per game.

James Hanson is second top marksman on a distant six and the rest have clocked up 13 between them.

Midfielders have made a key contribution this week. Jason Kennedy converted the late winner at MK Dons and Mark Yeates came off the bench to fire the equaliser against Notts County.

Skipper Gary Jones hopes to see more of the same so that City do not get too reliant on their free-scoring frontman.

Jones, who has two goals to his name, said: “Nahki has had an incredible record so far but, like any striker, he will probably have a dry spell at some point.

“And when we haven’t got him, we could struggle (in front of goal) at times.

“As we always say, everyone’s got to chip in and keep doing that. It’s so important for the whole team that goals are shared around.

“If you can get that, with Nahki scoring like he is as well, then that makes us a formidable attacking force for anyone.”

Jones was particularly pleased to see Kennedy break his duck at stadium:mk. The pair were regular midfield partners during their days at Rochdale and he is confident that the summer addition will make his mark despite a slow start.

Jones added: “I’ve known Jason for a while and I was absolutely over the moon for him when he got that goal against MK Dons.

“To score in a game like that, especially when it’s the late match-winner, was fantastic. We were all delighted and personally I couldn’t be happier.

“He hasn’t let his head go down. He has been patient and trained well.

“Frustration can easily set in when you’re not involved. But that hasn’t been the case with Jason.

“He has come in every day and worked as hard as anyone on the training pitch.”

Kennedy was sacrificed at half-time in midweek as Phil Parkinson opted for Nathan Doyle’s possession game in a deeper-lying role.

But Jones believes Kennedy will continue to develop as a key member of the City squad.

He said: “It takes time for any player to come in and fit in to a new team. But I know what a player he can be.

“Ask anyone, goals breed confidence and that will have done him a load of good to get off the mark. Hopefully he’ll pop up with a few more.”

The table has bunched up behind City, who are likely to lose their grip on sixth spot with everyone else playing today.

Jones said: “We’re driven by a results business and have had a blip of late. Every team suffer that and all you can do is keep working hard to come through.”