DALE hitman Grant Holt is gunning for goal glory as he aims for double figures in his first full season at Spotland.

The 23-year-old, signed from Sheffield Wednesday in January, is leading the scoring charts so far this campaign with five in 10 matches.

But he has his sights set higher and could make a real step towards his target as Dale entertain Notts County on Saturday afternoon and Scarborough on Tuesday night.

"I would be happy with 15 goals this season," he told Observer Sport. "I've set myself that target and any more will be a real bonus."

So far so good for the powerful striker. Holt took three games to open his account, but has scored five in the last seven and even leading the line alone - as he has for the past three matches - hasn't blunted his sharpness.

"From my point of view the season has started quite well," he said.

"I had a little spell at the start where I didn't score, but I got one at Wycombe and it's gone pretty well from then on."

The obvious difference in the kid from Carlisle's performances is his finishing. And he admits making his touch in front of goal a priority after only netting three times in 14 games last time round.

"I've done a lot of work with the manager on my finishing," he said. "It's actually easier when you're under pressure. When I had time to think, like in a one-on-one situation, I was missing."

His strike-rate in the 2003-04 campaign, to be fair, came in a titanic struggle for survival and with the added blow of a thigh injury which saw Holt miss the climax to the campaign.

The knock has, thankfully, almost completely cleared up, and he feels the squad this time round have become more unified in the cause of avoiding a repeat of last season's nervous finale.

"The situation last year made it very difficult. We will, of course, be judged on where we finish at the end of this season, but as a squad we are tighter and are working harder."

Holt's role is as the battering ram, sent out to give opposing centre-halves a rough ride. It's an element of the game he clearly relishes.

"I enjoy the physical side of the game," he said. "It's a good job, because it's one of my main strengths.

"A lot of the defenders I've played against this season have been strong, but in different ways. I'd say the best has been Dave Challinor at Bury. He's very strong and good in the air and it was tougher against him because, as a side, we didn't perform that day."

As for how his team , Holt isn't too bothered. He just wants to play.

"It's hard in a 4-5-1 some times because there aren't a lot of chances created. When they come you really have to take them.

He added: "It is nice to have some support to take the pressure off, but I'll play whichever way the manager wants."

• FULL-BACK Tony Gallimore should return for Saturday afternoon's match after recovering from illness.

But Dale's back line will still be missing Greg Heald, who has yet to overcome his hamstring problem.

"We really need a home win," said manager Steve Parkin. "We've dropped three points in the last two games. If results had gone differently in those games we'd be in ninth position now."

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