Ipswich Town v Leeds United: Nunez is hoping to prove the finished article

RAMON NUNEZ has revealed that just one more goal for Leeds United will be enough to equal his previous best tally for a season.

The Honduran international netted twice as United edged through to the Carling Cup third round on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory at Doncaster Rovers.

His double means the midfielder has scored five goals this term despite starting just two games, leaving the 25-year-old tantalisingly close to enjoying his most profitable campaign despite 2011-12 being less than three weeks old.

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“The most goals I have scored before in a season is six,” the delighted midfielder told the Yorkshire Post ahead of today’s trip to Ipswich Town in the Championship.

“That happened in 2006 in the MLS (when he played for FC Dallas) so I am hoping to get past that as soon as I can.

“I was playing out wide that year so didn’t get into the middle as much I would have liked.

“But, as the years have gone on, I have learned how to arrive at the back post at the right time and also get in better scoring positions.

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“My finishing is also something that I have worked on and I hope to add more goals.”

Nunez joined Leeds a year ago from Honduras club Olimpia but managed just two substitute appearances before being sent out on loan to Scunthorpe United in March.

Since the current campaign got under way, however, Nunez has grasped his opportunity at Leeds, starting by netting twice against Bradford City in the Carling Cup first round.

He then followed that with the final goal in Leeds’s 4-1 victory over Hull City and Tuesday’s double at the Keepmoat Stadium.

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Such a prolific start is reward for Nunez’s decision to opt out of international duty with Honduras earlier this month, instead making himself available for the 3-2 win over Bradford.

He said: “Staying here to play against Bradford was the starting point to my season. It has been shown to be a good decision.

“I know there will be many more occasions to play for my national team but at the moment I am just enjoying being at Leeds.”

Honduras are back in action early next month against Colombia and Paraguay when the Championship takes a break, but Nunez is considering whether to pass up again the chance to join his international team-mates.

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He said: “I didn’t have much of a break in the summer so I may take a couple of days off to clear my head. I only had nine days off in total so a rest could be good.”

Nunez’s strikes against Doncaster were of the highest quality, his first on the half-hour being a sublime finish from just outside the area.

His second on 83 minutes was equally impressive with Rovers goalkeeper Gary Woods having no chance of keeping out the shot as it arrowed into the corner of the net.

Nunez said: “I was very happy with the goals but more happy about the win. The boys deserve a lot of credit for working so hard.

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“It was very nice to get 90 minutes. I can feel my fitness getting better and my confidence is now sky high.

“Everyone is excited and feeling confident. Ipswich is another big one but, hopefully, we can go on and get another good result.”

Nunez’s five goals in 255 minutes of playing time this term mean he is United’s top scorer, two ahead of Ross McCormack, who has started all six games.

It means the midfielder has given manager Simon Grayson a major selection headache for today’s trip to Ipswich, especially as six first-team players were rested for the visit to Doncaster.

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Nunez said: “It is always going to be the manager’s decision. As players, we can only do so much on the pitch and hope he picks us in the starting XI on game day.

“It is a very strong squad and that is a good thing. For the team, it is very healthy and could be something that helps us into the Premier League.

“I enjoy any role, either on the left or in my favourite position just behind the striker. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”

Ipswich could hand a second ‘debut’ to Jimmy Bullard today following the former England midfield player’s arrival from Hull City earlier this week on a two-year deal.

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The 32-year-old had his contract at the KC Stadium terminated following an incident on the club’s pre-season trip to Slovenia but manager Paul Jewell had no hesitation in making a move following Bullard’s successful loan spell at Portman Road last term.

Meanwhile, Leeds have no worries over loanee Andy Keogh being recalled by Wolves following the knee injury suffered by Sylvain Ebanks-Blake.

Grayson explained: “With standard loans, you can’t bring players back. That is not an issue for us.”