Former Norwich City striker Chris Martin is the hottest goalscorer in English league football this year.

The experienced forward netted his eighth goal since January 1 in Bristol Rovers’ 2-1 League One home win over Carlisle at the weekend.

Martin is now one ahead of City’s current main man, Josh Sargent, Arsenal’s Bukayo Sako and Matt Smith of Salford in the scoring charts.

The ex-Norwich academy product ironically failed to notch in either FA Cup tie against his old club, but had a huge chance saved by George Long in the closing stages of the 3-1 third round replay defeat at the Memorial stadium.

Martin was signed by former Gas boss Joey Barton on a short-term deal before he extended that to the end of the current season, with a one-year option, after plundering 14 league goals in 24 appearances.

The 35-year-old spent nine years with his boyhood club, and was part of the Paul Lambert era that secured back-to-back promotions and Premier League survival for the Canaries.

Martin’s prolific start to 2024 also earned him League One’s player-of-the-month for January.

“I believe I'm still more than able to contribute an awful lot at this level, so I don't really think about my age too much,” he said recently, speaking to Sky Sports. “When you're in good form you fancy yourself to find the back of the net when the chances come and hopefully I can continue to do that.

“My main aim is scoring every single game and I believe that this team is capable of creating those opportunities for me.

“I've really enjoyed my football and my time with the boys here and I think that relationship has grown strong.

“I feel really settled here and feel like a big part of the dressing room so that's a nice feeling when you're coming into work every day.

"From my point of view, I've been enjoying my football and have been in good form so there was no reason not to (extend the contract) from my side.”