NEW Boston United striker Miles Hunter has lifted the lid on the Pilgrims' ambitions in Blue Square Bet North this season.

Hunter joined the club this summer after banging in 49 goals for United Counties League Premier Division outfit Sleaford Town last season.

He is one of two new signings, along with Kieran Murphy (pictured below), to have joined the club and has been put through his paces with the rest of the United squad by joint-managers Paul Hurst and Rob Scott.

Now, as Boston prepare for their first pre-season game of the summer tonight against Grimsby Town (7.45pm), the striker has revealed how the Pilgrims' management duo are targeting a top-10 finish in the forthcoming campaign.

"In terms of targets for the team, they (Hurst and Scott) think that there will be 10 teams looking for promotion," explained the 21-year-old, who broke Sleaford's club record for goals scored in a single campaign, last season.

"They want us to be one of those teams and if we can finish in 10th, then that will be okay.

"But the management want us to be pushing for promotion."

Hunter is under no illusions as to the size of the task that faces him at York Street.

Having spent time as a youngster on the books of both Boston and Lincoln City, the youngster was keen to return to Boston, but faces a fight to clinch a first team spot with Spencer Weir-Daley, Danny Davidson, Marc Newsham and Mikel Suarez all in contention for a striking role.

"I want to cement myself in the first team, but there are some good strikers at the club already," said Hunter.

"I am really looking forward to playing for Boston, though – it is a great non-league club with a nice ground.

"It took a couple of pre-season training sessions for me to get in the swing of things as I think the nerves kicked in, but everyone made me feel welcome.

"We have done a lot of running and strength work and have just started doing some ball work, so we will be ready for the Grimsby clash."

Hunter is expected to play some part of the game against the Mariners tonight but Hurst and Scott are likely to make plenty of changes throughout.

The only player who will not feature is former Gainsborough player Gareth Davies who is recovering from summer surgery.

Admission prices for the game are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions in the Fantasy Island Stand and £8 for adults and £4 for concessions in all terraced areas.