RADCLIFFE Boro keeper Danny Hurst has set his sights on a return to first-team action, after signing a new two-year contract with Kevin Glendon's side.

The 23-year-old stopper has been sidelined recently with a broken wrist sustained in the pre-season friendly with Southport, but is back to full fitness and chomping at the bit to help the Boro climb up the table.

Hurst said: "I'm pleased to have signed the new contract with Boro and now I can get back to concentrating on playing.

"I had a couple of clubs in similar divisions interested in me but I am more than happy to stay here.

"I have spent five years here and really enjoyed it.

"It has been disappointing to miss the start of the season with injury but I'm back now and training has been going well. I want to get back playing as soon as possible."

However, the giant glovesman acknowledges he faces a battle to regain his place in the team after the sterling performances of the man currently in possession of the number one shirt - Phil Priestley.

"I know I face a battle to get back in the side because Phil is a good keeper," admitted Hurst.

"Phil has been playing well and is also a good friend, but I don't mind a battle. I expect that." Hurst still has ambitions to go far in the game and still harbours hope of a big break, after trials with Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday failed to end in a contract.

"I am a very ambitious person," said Hurst, who owns a sun-bed shop on Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

"I always want to do better and play at a higher level and I'm hoping my performances will allow me to do that.

"However, this injury and the hernia injury I had last season have hampered me and made it a bit stop-start for me in recent times.

"However, if I have a good start on my return it will benefit Boro and also my own ambitions."

Boro have had an indifferent start to the season but Hurst is adamant it is only a minor blip in the grand scheme of things.

"We are a good side and have been unlucky in a lot of games so far," said Hurst.

"Fozzie (Steve Foster) usually scores goals for fun and it can't be long before he is finding the net again on a regular basis.

"Hopefully, we can cut out some of the silly goals we have conceded and start to climb the table."