by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

JAMES Beattie will go gunning for at least 15 goals for Stoke City this season...and bag himself a century of Premier League goals in the process.

He stands just 11 goals short of the magic 100 mark after boosting his total with seven efforts in 16 appearances since his January move back into the top flight.

And now he hopes to spearhead City’s forward line for a full campaign to ensure the second season at least mirrors the success of the first in the Premier League.

“A target of 15-plus goals is what a striker is always going to be looking for in the Premier,” said Beattie.

“If Matty Etherington and Liam Lawrence, or whoever is playing on the wing, get balls in, then I’ve always said I back myself to get goals.

“I’m on 89 Premier League goals at the moment.

“There’s a lot of good names with more than 100 and to get there would be a proud moment.

“To get to 100 goals is a personal thing, but the main ambition is to maintain our Premier League status and then get more points than last season.”

Indeed, he revealed that manager Tony Pulis has set his players the target of topping last season’s tremendous haul of 45 points (35 at home and 10 away) in their second campaign at the highest level.

“The gaffer has set us the challenge to get more points than last year. He says that only two teams in the Premier League have done that in their second season.

“He’s laid down the gauntlet and we will be doing our best to fulfil his dreams.”

Beattie has applauded his colleagues and their team spirit after enjoying his first concerted stay with them during the recent week-long trip to Austria.

“The lads have put in the work and the gaffer has commended us on our attitude,” says the former Everton and Sheffield United striker.

“Everybody has treated me brilliantly and I’ve settled in quite well. I get on with all the lads and we have a great team spirit.

“I noticed that when I first came here, and hopefully I’ve added to that myself. If I’m settled and happy, that’s when I play my best football.

“I’m looking forward to the new season and can’t wait for it. It’s a big one for us.

“The gaffer said as long as we are ready for Burnley on August 15 then he isn’t bothered about results in pre-season.”

A rich burst of goalscoring in the autumn could yet spark genuine talk of a return to the international fold, but for now Beattie is playing down the possibility of an England recall to add to his five caps.

“There’s maybe not many English strikers like me in the league, and you always have ambitions to play for your country, but Stoke City is my priority,” Beattie added.

STOKE will give fitness tests to Thomas Sorensen and Andy Wilkinson before tomorrow’s friendly at Preston North End (3pm) after they missed Tuesday’s draw against Hapeol Tel Aviv with back and shoulder injuries respectively.

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