Striker Chris Martin is hoping five goals in two matches will prove a timely reminder for City manager Glenn Roeder when he names his squad for Saturday's Championship trip to Cardiff.

Striker Chris Martin is hoping five goals in two matches will prove a timely reminder for City manager Glenn Roeder when he names his squad for Saturday's Championship trip to Cardiff.

The 19-year-old has not featured in the first team since he was substituted at half-time in the FA Cup tie against Bury at Carrow Road, after missing a golden chance in the opening minute.

But a hat-trick for City Reserves in their 5-0 win at Luton on Tuesday, added to his two goals in the 7-1 victory over Grays Athletic last week, could push Martin back into contention - especially now leading scorer Jamie Cureton is sidelined after an appendix operation.

Reserve team boss Paul Stephenson will be able to update Roeder on the striker's progress after watching his display at Kenilworth Road, but warned he had to improve his all-round game to be considered for regular Championship football.

“I'll be telling Glenn about his performance, because it's not just his goals, it's his all-round performance as well,” Stephenson told the club's official website.

“Obviously when he's playing at Championship level it's a really different test, you have to be a bit sharper. But I have to say he wasn't quite at it, and he scored two goals at Grays. But he was at it a bit more today. That was much more like it.

“He was clinical with his finishing, which was pleasing, and his work rate went up a bit. We still need more in terms of that, but if he can keep scoring goals and taking chances like he did today he's going to put himself in the picture.”

Martin has scored eight times in nine appearances for the reserves this season, but has not scored for the first team since the 2-1 home defeat by Derby 11 months ago.

Asked whether he felt he might be in line for a senior recall, Martin said: “Possibly, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see what the gaffer's selection is. All I can do is keep scoring in the reserves and see what team he picks.

“I'm quite pleased with my hat-trick and I got a couple at Grays last week.

“I'm thankful for some of the assists I got, because there were some great balls in and I was just happy to get on the scoresheet again.”