Zesh Rehman is desperate to get on the City scoresheet against Wycombe – to shut his dad up!

The Pakistan international defender has looked a class act in his three outings since arriving at Valley Parade on loan from QPR.

But there is one score Rehman is keen to settle to earn a bit of peace from the family.

He has not scored a goal since September 2005 and his father, who is at all the 25-year-old’s games, has not let him forget it.

Rehman said: “My dad’s been having a go at me for ages now because it’s well overdue. I scored a couple on loan at Brighton and then got one for Fulham in a cup game (against Lincoln) a few years ago but nothing since.

“I’ve been close a few times and it would have been nice to score in the last home game against Grimsby.

“The main thing is that we keep winning but getting a goal would be a bonus – and it would keep my dad quiet for a bit.

“Mum and dad come to all my games and my sisters have been very supportive as well through the good and bad times. But I still get a bit of stick because I’m due a goal.”

Graeme Lee’s one-match ban means that Rehman will partner Matt Clarke at centre half. Having played at both full backs, it will be the big defender’s first chance in his usual role.

He added: “This is where I’ve had most of my experience playing and hopefully I can step in alongside Clarkey and continue the way we’re playing at the moment.

“I like to play in the centre more often than not but I’m more than happy to go wherever the gaffer wants me.

“I had a frustrating spell at Blackpool when I didn’t play at all for a while, so I’m not going to complain about starting out of position. Being out there on a Saturday is the best feeling and when you’ve not done it for a while, that just reinforces how much you miss it.”

Andy Morrell’s goal at Bury is the only time City have been breached in Rehman’s three performances and back-to-back clean sheets have boosted confidence ahead of the vital home clash with Wycombe.

He said: “We’ve been quite solid as a whole team. It starts from the front, through the midfield to the defence – you can’t just give the back four the credit because it’s all over the pitch.

“It makes things easier for defenders when the people in front of you are winning second balls and making it hard for the opposition to get out. It keeps the pressure on them and gives the back four a bit of time to regroup.”

Wycombe have been knocked off the top by Brentford on goal difference, although they have two games in hand. Despite a recent wobble, the Chairboys still boast the best away record in the division, with only two defeats.

Rehman said: “Every game is a challenge, whether you are playing Wycombe or Luton. Everyone’s playing for something.

“They are all big games now to the end of the season but if we focus on ourselves and keep working hard, there’s no reason we can’t get positive results whoever we’re up against.

“I keep saying that it’s a massive club. Every time I look at the stadium I visualise what it would be like to be full.

“I’ve really enjoyed it here so far. Everybody has helped me settle in from the kitman to Omar Khan, the manager and the chairmen as well as the people in local community.

“I’m looking to embrace my time here and really make a go of it.”