The former Southampton and Everton striker is 11 short of 100 Premier League goals and after scoring seven in 16 appearances after his transfer from Sheffield United in January he intends to join an elite group in the coming campaign.

Only 16 players have registered a century of goals and Beattie is one of three others - Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both have 98 - closing in on the milestone.

"A target of 15-plus goals is what a striker is always going to be looking for in the Premier," said the 31-year-old Beattie, whose goals helped keep Stoke up in their maiden Premier League campaign.

"If Matty Etherington and Liam Lawrence, or whoever is playing on the wing, get balls in, then I've always said I back myself to get goals.

"I'm on 89 Premier League goals at the moment. There's a lot of good names with more than 100 and to get there would be a proud moment.

"To get to 100 goals is a personal thing, but the main ambition is to maintain our Premier League status and then get more points than last season."

While a personal milestone remains in Beattie's thoughts, manager Tony Pulis has set the squad a target of improving on last season.

"The gaffer has set us the challenge to get more points than last year," Beattie told the Stoke Sentinel.

"He says that only two teams in the Premier League have done that in their second season.

"He's laid down the gauntlet and we will be doing our best to fulfil his dreams."

Pulis, meanwhile, is on the verge of completing his first significant signing of the summer as a deal for Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead is believed to be close.