HALLAM Hope has given manager David Flitcroft a selection headache ahead of this weekend's clash with Chesterfield.

The forward started for the first time in four games against Swindon last weekend and repaid the faith by scoring twice to wrap up a 2-1 win.

But star striker James Vaughan, who missed the clash with the Robins through suspension, is set to return, while the club's top goalscorer Tom Pope remains in incredible form.

Flitcroft faces the tough, yet desirable, task of deciding which two will spearhead the Shakers' attack, and Hope has his fingers crossed that he has done enough to keep his place in the starting XI.

“I think I had a good performance against Swindon and now it's up to the manager to see who he picks for the next game,” Hope said.

“I'm glad I got two goals and I'm glad we won the game, that's the most important thing.

“To get on the scoresheet helps with your confidence, along with putting in a good performance and winning the game.

“I'm playing more in my natural position which is striker and I'm enjoying it. We take the competition in a good way and whoever gets selected to play on the day we all support each other because we only have one thing in our minds and that's to win the game.”

The 22-year-old found himself well down the pecking order when he joined from Everton last year and was sent on loan to League Two Carlisle.

And after a successful spell in Cumbria, Hope says he is now hungrier than ever to show the Gigg Lane faithful what he is all about.

“I went to Carlisle to play more games and score goals and I did that,” Hope explained. “I feel like I have come back a better player.

“I'm ready to go, 100 per cent. Last season I had quite a few injuries and I never was really 100-per-cent fit and I knew that myself.

“Now I feel good, feel strong, feel fit and I'm looking forward to the game coming up.

“Obviously we go in to any game wanting a win and three points so hopefully that's what we can do on Saturday.”