Former Stoke City manager Gary Rowett has backed his former striker Benik Afobe to the do the business during his loan spell with Bristol City.

The former Wolves man put in another decent display for the Robins as they drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate today, and the man who brought him to Stoke for £12m was there in attendance to watch his former striker.

And Rowett was quick to back Afobe when speaking as a Sky Sports pundit before:

“I think with Bristol City they have a lot of pace around him so he’ll have lots of support and won’t be isolated, if he can just stay in that good mental state then he’ll certainly score lots of goals.” Rowett said, with quotes taken from a report by the Stoke Sentinel.

“He needs to feel like he’s a big part of the team, and if he scores goals early like he has this season, he’s the type of player that can go and score 20-plus, like at Wolves.”

Afobe has started the season well enough for the Robins and has already got himself on the scoresheet for Lee Johnson's men.

Despite failing to get in and among the goals today Afobe put in plenty of work up the top end of the pitch and will have pleased both Johnson and the onlooking Rowett with his display.

The Verdict

Nice touch of class this from Rowett in that he could easily slate one of his former players at a club where it didn't go well for him personally.

Nobody ever really doubts the ability of Afobe he's just lost his way a bit in the last few seasons.

He should prove a good signing for Bristol City and if he can stay fit, then Rowett is correct in his opinion that he can go on to notch 20 goals.