ON the mend midfield marvel Lee Bullock is already relishing the start of next season with an ambitious double-figure target in his sights and a pledge to go at least one better.

The youngster has enjoyed his best campaign yet in City colours, scoring an impressive nine goals from midfield and earning a two-year extension to his current contract just before Christmas.

But Bullock, bitterly disappointed to have his season curtailed by the surgeon's knife last week, is refusing to rest on his laurels.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Bullock said: "I'm disappointed to have missed the last few games because I wanted to score a few more goals. I wanted ten and I've got nine.

"But I feel myself if I'd taken my chances I could have got 20. I missed a lot of chances and that is something I want to put right next season.

"I feel I could have got a lot more goals and taking a lot more of my opportunities is something I have to put right."

According to Stockton-born Bullock, the operation on his ankle went well.

"Everything went fine as far as I'm aware and the surgeon said it was a success," he said.

"I've had an ankle ligament reconstruction. I've twisted my ankle a lot over the season so they've strengthened all the ligaments, replacing them with plastic ones, which should stop me from twisting them so much in the future and making sure the ankle is stronger."

He will spend the next six weeks in a pot and will then begin six weeks of rehabilitation with City physio Jeff Miller.

"That should take me into pre-season so it has been timed well," said Bullock, who watched City's 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers in midweek.

"I'll definitely be right for next season and I'm looking for more than ten goals next season.

"I can't wait. I hate not playing but it's been great watching the lads and six goals in two games is pretty good going.

"It's just a shame I've not been out there enjoying it."

While anxious to boost his goal tally next season, Bullock admitted he was also desperate for City to enjoy a better campaign and improve their festive form in particular.

The youngster, still only 20, has spent most of his time as a senior professional with City battling against relegation.

"You can see now things are changing and on the pitch we are looking a good team," he reasoned.

"We are only about ten points off the play-offs.

"It just shows had we taken points from just some of the bad games we have had this year we could have been pushing and it is not all doom and gloom.

"As long as I've been here we tend to have a bad spell over Christmas and a bad run.

"It took us a while to come out of it this season and that is something we have to put right next season."

City are scheduled to return to training on Wednesday, July 3.

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, April 27, 2002