MANAGER Mark Cooper admitted Nile Ranger is wasting his talent after the striker again failed to turn up for training today.

The former Newcastle frontman led the line for Town at Brentford yesterday, less than 24 hours after writing off his Range Rover on Christmas Day, but did not arrive for training with the rest of the squad this morning.

Cooper has been unable to contact Ranger at all today and admitted he is sad to see his player not making the most of his ability.

“He obviously played at Brentford yesterday but we haven’t seen him today,” Cooper told the local media. “He’s probably had a lie in.

“I’m more frustrated for Nile because he has a tremendous talent and he’s still a very young man, but he’s wasting it. The frustration is with him and for him.

“It’s difficult but he’s only going to have himself to blame because he’s had so many chances. He’s a tremendous centre forward and a great number nine - there’s not many better at this level - but sometimes the group is more important.

“January’s coming, and somewhere along the line we have to think about what we’re going to do.”