Stoke City manager Alex Neil has praised Manchester City loanee Liam Delap after the young attacker scored two goals in two games following the World Cup break.
The 19-year-old has made just six appearances for City's first-team but was prolific for the U21s before being promoted to the senior squad. He joined the Potters on a season-long loan in August, with his father, Rory, having made more than 200 appearances for Stoke during his career as a player.
Since signing for the Championship side, Delap has played on 19 occasions in all competitions, scoring three times. The attacker, who has started 13 matches, scored in the recent draw with Cardiff City and in the victory over Bristol City.
Delap, who made his senior City debut in September 2020, scoring in the 2-1 Carabao Cup third-round victory over Bournemouth, has had to be patient for goals since joining Stoke, but Potters boss Neil has suggested that the striker has improved in recent months.
"I don't think you can say he was lucky because, if you look at the goal against Bristol City, it was anticipation," he said. "He gets outside his centre-back. He needs to read the fact that Tye (Campbell) is going to flick it inside, he's got to be in the right position and make a clean contact with the ball.
"I think what he might have done a month ago was take a touch. I thought a little while ago that we were trying to walk the ball into the net when if you land on it and get a strike you can test the keeper and make him work. They are often the ones that end up in the back of the net.
"I think we have to give him credit for his anticipation and getting on the ball and guiding it towards goal. Two goals is good for him in the last two games and even Jacob popping up with the winner, it's a lot of food for thought."
Delap signed a three-year contract extension with City in August 2021. The forward has scored 35 times in 36 matches for the Blues' U21s, while also registering nine assists.