CURRENT Ipswich scoring hero Darren Bent was today put on a par with former favourite David Johnson, who returns to Portman Road tomorrow with Nottingham Forest.

CURRENT Ipswich scoring hero Darren Bent was today put on a par with former favourite David Johnson, who returns to Portman Road tomorrow with Nottingham Forest.

The comparison was made by Town skipper Jim Magilton, who knows all about the respective merits of the goal-hungry strike pair.

Magilton, who was Johnson's next-door neighbour during their time together at Ipswich, said: "They are not exactly two of a kind, but there are similarities between them. Both are quick with an eye for goal.

"Back in Johnno's time here, generally speaking when he scored we tended to do well. Now Darren's goals are playing a big part in the success we are having. There are all sorts of reasons why we have won six of our last seven games, but when you see that Benty has eight goals from as many games you can see the influence he is having.

"It's a vital ingredient in any side to have a regular scorer on board. Johnno did it for years here and young Darren is getting better all the time.

"He's only 20 and will continue to improve, but with all the goals he has scored in recent games I doubt if his confidence has ever been higher than it is at the moment."

Four years ago Johnson grabbed seven goals in his last six games of the season to blast Ipswich into third place.

That took his tally to 23 and although he failed to net in the play-offs, Town ended the campaign on a massive high with a Wembley win over Barnsley to regain their Premiership status.

Now boss Joe Royle is setting his men the very same target – to finish third and secure promotion in style at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Bent, who has netted 15 times this season, will be a key man for Ipswich in the coming weeks.

But Magilton admitted: "There have been other factors responsible for our current run of form, with other individuals doing their bit within the side."

He added: "We have dug ourselves out of situations and the result is that we are almost there, but it could have gone the other way like last year when we missed out."

Johnson, 27, will be making his second start following his return to action last month after suffering a double leg break in September. His absence – he scored 29 goals last season – is one of the main reasons why Forest have failed to emulate their 2003 play-off finish.