by Steve Shaw

STRIKER Marc Richards has set his sights on breaking the 20-goal barrier for the first time in his career this season.

The 27-year-old is Port Vale's leading scorer with 14 goals this season, and has 19 more games in which to reach his target.

"In the games we've got left, I'm looking to score in at least half of them," revealed Richards.

"That's a decent target because if I can score another nine or 10, that'll give me nearly 25 goals.

"That's setting the bar quite high, but I'm on target for where I want to be.

"For any striker, to score 20 goals means they've had a decent season."

Richards is already enjoying his most potent season in front of goal with his 14 goals – 11 in League Two and the rest in the Carling Cup and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy – arriving from 35 appearances.

His previous best return came in the 2005-06 season when he netted 13 times in all competitions for Barnsley as they won promotion from League One.

Richards will get the chance to start chasing down his ambitious target tonight when Vale play host to Chesterfield (7.45pm).

"I've never managed a 20-goal season, so it would be nice to get past that barrier," he added.

"But that's the benchmark ... my aim is to get even more because I've got to set my sights as high as possible.

"I don't think there are an awful lot of players who can say they've achieved that."

Richards is out of contract in the summer and Vale have yet to open talks on a new deal, although manager Micky Adams has already said he's keen to retain his leading striker.

Injuries have limited Richards's goalscoring contribution since he was signed from Barnsley by then manager Martin Foyle in the summer of 2007.

In his debut season, the 2007-08 campaign, he managed just five goals as the Valiants were relegated from League One.

But last term he topped Vale's goalscoring charts with 11 strikes in all competitions.