Iron attacker Garry Thompson is gunning for goals as the season opener against Reading draws closer, and has revealed he wants at least ten of them.

The 2010-11 npower Championship campaign starts for Scunthorpe at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, and the former Morecambe man - fresh from hitting his second strike of pre-season in the 2-0 home success over Huddersfield Town on Saturday - is feeling fit and confident.

The 29-year-old winger was a huge success when played up front in place of the injured Gary Hooper last season, and he's willing to perform there again on a more regular basis if required.

Thompson performed in that position during Saturday's win over the Terriers and is keen to build on the nine goals he netted last year.

He told The Iron Player: "I'd like to play up front but it's the manager who picks the team and I will play wherever he wants me to - whether it's on the right, the left or through the centre. I want to do as well as I can.

"I want to chip in with goals too. I managed to score a few at the end of last season and double figures is my aim this season

"We've lost Paul Hayes and Gary Hooper, our main goalscorers last year, and it's important that someone fills that void. Hopefully it can be me."

United started slowly against Lee Clark's side on Saturday but strong words from manager Nigel Adkins brought a second half changearound, with the hosts well on top after the break.

Thompson added: "We were disappointed with how we played in the first half but we changed the formation around and played myself and Jonathan Forte up front, with Chris Dagnall behind, and I felt it really paid off. We looked very strong.

"I don't know why we struggled to get going but we've had a hard week training, some of us played 90 minutes on Tuesday night too and we're getting our match sharpness back.

"The manager had a stern word in our ear in the second half and we came out, and showed how we can play.

"We beat a good team. They showed in the first half what a good side they were, but our superior fitness shone through in the second half and we were on top, and perhaps should have scored more goals.

"We dealt with their threat and pressed on well with our attacks.

"That's how we need to approach the Reading game on Saturday now.

"It was good to bounce back from Tuesday's pre-season defeat at York but it's all about fitness and being fit for Reading.

"I think there was a big turnaround on Saturday though and we should be pleased with how we did."

See much more from Garry Thompson on The Iron Player.