Nicky Maynard will not hesitate if presented with a clear sight of goal in tomorrow's Severnside derby clash at Ashton Gate.

Without a goal in eight games and desperate to justify the £2.25m fee Bristol City paid Crewe for his services, the record signing could be excused for feeling under pressure.

But the Cheshire-born forward, who has failed to make the most of his chances in recent games against Derby and Coventry, is adopting a positive mindset ahead of an Anglo-Welsh clash which could have a crucial bearing on the Coca-Cola Championship promotion race.

"No-one can put me under more pressure than I put on myself," declared the 22-year-old.

"Playing under pressure goes with the territory when you're up front and it's something we all have to deal with.

"If you miss a good chance, you just have to wait for the next one to come along and make sure you take that one."

Maynard has nine Championship goals to his name this season, but has not found the back of the net since scoring a late equaliser against leaders Wolves in front of the Sky Sports cameras in January.

He admitted: "I'm not scoring as many goals as I would like to, but I don't allow it to get to me.

"I believe in my own ability and I'll keep doing the things I've been doing. I'd be more worried if I wasn't getting any chances at all.

"I'm getting in good positions, the team is playing well and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I get a goal."

Certainly, there has been no shortage of opportunities for Maynard to add to his tally and the young striker is benefiting from playing alongside the experienced Stern John.

Those two will very likely be charged with the task of breaching Cardiff's defence tomorrow and Maynard believes the partnership can flourish.

He revealed: "We're both strikers, but our styles complement one another.

"Stern likes to play just off the shoulder with his back to goal and he's very good at putting other people in. My biggest strength is going in behind defenders, so it's a partnership which seems to work well for the two of us. We're on the same wavelength when we're out there on the pitch and that's a massive help."

Former Birmingham and Sunderland striker John is the only City player who boasts Premier League experience and the senior partner has been quick to pass on his knowhow to the youngster.

"Stern and I talk a lot and he's always trying to help me," said Maynard. "He and Dele Adebola have both been around a long time and I'm learning from the pair of them.

"We speak about the strengths and weaknesses of all the defenders we play against and, obviously, they know more players than I do."