MATT HEYWOOD is pushing for a first team recall at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and admits he would love to lead a scoring revival on behalf of Town's defenders.

The 24-year-old yesterday came through his first full training session since suffering an ankle injury at Brentford and expects to be in contention for the trip to Hillsborough.

The defender knows he faces a battle to win back a starting slot but if selected, admits it would be something special to net in front of more than 20,000 fans.

While Tommy Mooney and Sam Parkin have rattled in 24 goals between them, the contribution from defenders has been somewhat sparse.

Andy Gurney has chipped in five but Heywood, Alan Reeves, Jerel Ifil, Adi Viveash, Andy Nicholas and David Duke have not mustered a single goal between them so far this season.

It is a depressing statistic which hasn't stopped the club climbing into the top six. But Heywood is anxious the defenders' scoresheet does not remain blank for the whole campaign.

He said: "I had two goals disallowed against Luton and I've had a few other chances since.

"Defenders take pride in keeping clean sheets first and foremost but there's no denying that it all helps the cause if you can contribute a few goals.

"If your two centre-halves can score say four apiece, that could prove to be eight very important goals in a very tight league."

Heywood feels Brian Howard could be a key factor in increasing the goal output from the back.

He said: "In the last few games Brian has put some great deliveries in and I'm sure there will be chances taken from them over the remainder of the season.

"As for me, there'll be family and friends from home at Hillsborough and I'm sure it'd be a fantastic feeling to score there."

Heywood has a financial incentive to start hitting the back of the net as well as for the good of the team.

At the start of each campaign, he and Steve Robinson have a wager on which of them will end the season with the most goals.

Robinson has already notched two, at Bournemouth and Boston United respectively.

That might be reduced to one if Heywood has his way.

He said: "I'm not sure the one at Boston counts. It wasn't in the league."

Former Town midfielder Mark Robertson has joined Stockport County until the end of the season.