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Wells has Defoe magic, says Lightbourne

Jermain Defoe,

Bradford City’s Bermudian striker Nahki Wells is confident he can continue his late season goal scoring spree.Wells netted his maiden professional hat-trick in the Bantams’ 3-1 away win against Northampton Town in his last outing to all but secure his club’s League Two status.The former Dandy Town Hornet’s superb treble also earned him a deserved place in the Press Association’s Football League Team of the Week.“I feel honoured to be named on the Football League Team of the week, it’s another thing to add to my CV,” Wells told The Royal Gazette. “But that’s all gone and getting in the team again this week is now the real test, and I’m sure I can produce another performance like last weekend on Saturday.”City need only take a point in tomorrow’s home match with relegation-threatened Macclesfield to retain their League Two status for next season.Wells said he is proud to have scored his club’s 6,000th goal last month and weeks later notch a maiden hat-trick — the first by a City player in years .“It puts me out there a bit more and puts me down in the club’s history being we haven’t scored a hat-trick in about five-seasons,” he added. “To have scored the club’s 6,000th goal a month ago is another good achievement. I’m probably now looked at more of a key player in the team, and I’m sure I can handle that role.”With 11 goals under his belt, the Bermuda international is poised to earn a new improved contract at Bradford who may be keen to lock down the striker in a bid to protect their investment.Former Coventry City striker, Kyle Lightbourne believes Wells possesses rare talent as a striker. “One thing he definitely has is finishing power; he can create a goal out of nothing and that’s one of his strengths that not every striker has,” he added.“Some strikers rely on people putting crosses in for them, but Nahki can get the ball with his back to goal and all of a sudden it’s in the back of the net. He reminds me of a Jermain Defoe sort of player who makes something happen out of nothing.”Lightbourne said Wells’ natural ability to hit the back of the net will carry him far in the English game.“Nahki is absolutely brilliant and has done wonderful for his first full season in England,” he said. “He has 11 goals so far and that’s a great return for someone who hasn’t been starting every game.“He is one of the top scorers for the club and he’s only enhanced his chances of improving his deal or moving onto something better. Nahki definitely has the ability to move and play at a higher level, and hopefully he gets that opportunity.“But even if he stays at Bradford it is still an opportunity for him to go up the pay scale because he’s done his hard work on the field, and that’s the same way Shaun Goater and myself had to go. We had to do our talking on the field and then when it comes to negotiating you are in charge and I think Nahki should be in demand.”

Nahki Wells