Gameiro is widely held to be one of the best strikers in France, always scoring more goals from one season to the next, but the prize of topping the scoring charts come the end of the season has eluded him - by the narrowest of margins - as he came second behind Moussa Sow (2010-11) and Mamadou Niang (2009-10).

For perfectionist Gameiro, second isn't really acceptable and he is prepared to put in the hard work to get the better of this season's league-leading scorer Olivier Giroud, who has 15 goals for PSG's closest challengers Montpellier.

'Take it to the next level'

"I've bagged ten Ligue 1 goals this season, which is nothing to sniff at," declared Gameiro, who scored his first goal in five matches in the 3-1 win over Evian at the weekend. "But I think I need to take it to the next level. There have been matches where I could have scored more goals, and if I had, then I would be on par with Olivier at the moment.

"It's true that I'm enjoying less and less space and that opposition defences are paying me more attention, but it's in seasons like this, when you have responsibilities, that you make progress."

Not only is Gameiro out to up his goal tally for personal reasons, but the 24-year-old, in his first season at PSG since signing from Lorient, realises that a striker at a club with PSG's ambitions - and financial means - needs to get the job done, or find himself replaced.

'Prove my worth'

"The directors were very open with me about it all," said Gameiro of sporting director Leonardo's efforts to sign a high-profile striker - Brazilian Alexandre Pato and Argentine Carlos Tevez were linked with the club - during the winter transfer window. "And in the end no-one was signed. So now it's up to me to use the last three or four months of the season to prove my worth here."

Starting on Sunday, when Carlo Ancelotti's troupe make the trip to the Côte d'Azur to take on a resurgent Nice side looking to score an upset against the league leaders to climb out of the drop zone.

"It'll be a tough match," admitted Gameiro, who is likely to start in the lone striker's role ahead of France teammate Guillaume Hoarau. "It's always tough to take Nice on at the Stade du Ray. But we'll be going there to get the three points and do everything we have to in order to stay on top of the table."

Three-point cushion

Indeed, PSG will no doubt breathe easier if they still enjoy a three-point lead over Montpellier before René Girard's men come to the Parc des Princes in ten days' time, but Gameiro doesn't believe the match will make or break either side's season.

"Montpellier is our closest rival, just three points behind us," he explained before taking a small dig. "They're a really tough side, but they've been pretty lucky on many occasions as well. But whatever happens, there will still be plenty of matches left to play after that match is finished." 

>> PLAYER PROFILE: Kévin Gameiro

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