Express & Star

Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw looking for 15 goals

Striker Tom Bradshaw today declared his desire to be an instant hit at Walsall this season – as he targeted scoring at least 15 goals.

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The 21-year-old is keen to set the bar high following his summer move from Shrewsbury Town and believes a return of between 15 and 20 goals is realistic.

Bradshaw has netted just 17 times in his entire career to date, but believes his switch to the Banks's will allow him to potentially double those figures.

"In the past I have aimed to get 15 to 20 goals as a striker," he said. "I have not achieved that yet but I feel at this club, with the players we have, that is a realistic aim.

"I think that is what most strikers aim to achieve in a season and I look around and think why not?

"With the players we have here I think more than one, two or three of us could get that amount.

"We are in a promotion battle this season and I think that is the belief in many players' heads. Why set the bar low?"

Bradshaw netted seven goals for Shrewsbury last season but spent more than three months of the campaign out injured.

Boss Dean Smith is keen to make more additions and will welcome 32-year-old Danny Webber back on trial when the Saddlers return from their pre-season trip to Devon next week.

But one player Bradshaw is keen to develop an understanding with is Romaine Sawyers, having seen his new team-mate close up in 2012 when the former Albion man had a loan spell with Shrewsbury.

Sawyers finished as the Saddlers' second highest scorer with seven goals last term and is developing into a fine playmaker.

And Bradshaw added: "The prospect of playing in the same team as Romaine again is exciting.

"I know what he can do – he slides balls through and gets goals himself and is good at creating chances for others as well.

"I'm hoping he will create a few chances for me this season."

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