DAVE Byrne has challenged Billy Paynter to make the most of his new chance as he looks to take advantage of a striker shortage, writes ANDY CRYER.

Barry Corr's three-game ban and Simon Cox's return to Reading will see Paynter return to the starting line-up against Barnet tomorrow, desperate to prove a point.

The former Port Vale man scored five goals in his first five starts for the Robins, after signing from Southend, but with just one goal since and no starts in the last six games, Byrne believes it is time for him to get back on track.

Town's joint caretaker boss said: "We will go with what we have got but we have lost our two first choice strikers and it is a big blow.

"I have spoken to Billy and he is chomping at the bit to get out there so there is one that is on the teamsheet.

"Maybe Billy does need a bit of confidence. He came in and set the place alight because he scored five goals quickly, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth.

"Then all of a sudden it started to dry up, it started to affect his performances.

"But we have said to him there is only one person who can change that and that is Billy himself.

"He came on on Tuesday and done a magnificent job for us.

"It is now up to him, he has to go in and get back to playing how he was prior to being left out of the team."

Blair Sturrock is expected to partner Paynter for tomorrow's tie at the County Ground but, with Christian Roberts, Lee Peacock, Jon-Paul McGovern and Kaid Mohamed also capable of playing up front there are no shortage of options.

He said: "Roberts was fit on Tuesday but we sat down and spoke about Robbo and did not think it was fair to throw him in at the deep end after coming back from the operation.

"So he will come into the fray.

"We will sit down and discuss all permutations about who will partner Billy, just to do a job for us on the day.

"We want to make sure it is not after the Lord Mayor's show.

"We will give Barnet all the respect they deserve but at the end of the day we are going to go out there and let them know it is us who are the division above."