JACK Clarke is the Championship's top scorer and star man but Tony Mowbray believes he has another player just as talented as the former Leeds and Tottenham winger - fellow wideman Patrick Roberts.

And while Sunderland's head coach is delighted with Roberts' all-round play, he's challenged the 26-year-old to try and follow in Clarke's footsteps and add more goals and assists to his game.

For all Roberts is a hugely influential attacking player for Sunderland, his assist for Trai Hume's goal against Norwich on Saturday was his first this season, and he's still yet to hit the net.

That is something Mowbray wants the former Manchester City youngster to work on.

"I love Patrick Roberts and I almost want him and Jack to compete," said Mowbray.

"I'm saying to Patrick, why can't you be scoring and assisting as many?

"Jack takes penalties, of course, but I want to see Patrick sticking it in the back of the net as well. I couldn't sit here and say Jack is more talented than Patrick. He needs to be getting into the box and scoring more, being more selfish with his finishing and hopefully we keep those goals coming from both sides of the pitch. And then when the centre forwards catch fire, we can get towards that 70 goals that we're going to need to have a successful season."

Clarke scored 11 goals last season, a fine return for a winger, but is well on course to steam past that tally this term. His goal against the Canaries last time out was his ninth in what has been a hugely impressive start to the campaign.

And Mowbray doesn't see any reason why Clarke can't continue in his current form.

"If we can keep playing like we are at the moment... really positive and on the front foot, having a lot of attacking moments in games, I think Jack will keep scoring," he said.

"What you'd also say about him is that he is absolutely devastating when we're having to defend and he can break away, because he has a huge aerobic capacity to keep running. He was playing wing back before I got here because he can run all day and he can run fast all day, which is a huge attribute for any footballer.

"I don't see him falling away, I think he'll keep scoring and hurting teams. He is mixing his game up a lot more these days, going down the outside as well as cutting in, and cutting the ball back on his left foot."

Such dazzling displays will inevitably attract interest from above. Clarke was a wanted man in the summer but Sunderland managed to keep hold of the 22-year-old, turning down multiple bids from Burnley.

More offers from the Premier League are likely to be tabled in January and Mowbray hopes Sunderland do everything in their power to keep the winger on Wearside.

He said: "He has to stay positive, I hope he's enjoying his football and hopefully the club does everything they can to keep him here and have a successful season."