ADAM BOYD has revealed a personal desire to play at a higher level and is pinching himself at the prospect of the dream being fulfilled at hometown club Hartlepool United.

Boyd's 29 goals in League One this season have not only propelled Pool into Sunday's play-off final at the Millennium Stadium but they have also made him hot property.

Regardless of whether Martin Scott's men overcome Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, it seems only a matter of time before the talented young striker makes the step up.

Owls boss Paul Sturrock recently admitted that Boyd is the dangerman to his side's promotion chances, and it is little wonder after witnessing the player's super-show in April.

At a rain-sodden Victoria Park, Boyd grabbed a scintillating hat-trick that was capped off in style by twisting and turning inside the Wednesday penalty area before delicately chipping over keeper Paul Gallagher's head to complete a 3-0 win.

A similar performance could be the difference between Pool winning and losing on Sunday and Boyd, 23 tomorrow, said: "I'm an ambitious lad and I would love to test myself at a higher level at some stage but hopefully that will be with Hartlepool.

"I recently signed a new two-year contract at the club and I would like to think that during that time I could help them into the Championship. Wouldn't that be great?

"I have been a massive Pool fan all my life and it is incredible to think that a club of this size could reach that sort of height - but we are so close to doing it and it's unbelievable.

"I remember when former boss Chris Turner first came to the club in 1999. I was a YTS and the club always struggled and seemed to finish about fourth or fifth bottom in the bottom league. Now look where it is. It's fantastic to be a part of."

It was only last season when Boyd was deemed unwanted by Pool. Then manager Neale Cooper and Scott farmed the player out on loan to Boston after growing frustrated with his slow development.

After netting four in ten games, Boston wanted to keep him but could not come up with the small £5,000 fee. Boyd returned and hit 12 goals in 11 matches to push Pool into the play-offs, where they lost out to Bristol City.

Since then he has never looked back and his goals have increased his stock value to a figure approaching £1m - it was Boyd's double that gave Pool the edge in the play-off semi-final with Tranmere.

"We came so close last year to Cardiff that it made us even more determined this year," he said. "Last year was hard for me at first because I was out of favour with the manager but I have enjoyed being such a big part of things since coming back from Boston."

* Supporters have until noon on Thursday to buy play-off tickets. Pool have sold more than 14,000 from their 22,500 allocation. Contact the Pool hotline on 0870 0601030 for details.

Read more about Hartlepool here.