LEE Hughes certainly has a head for heights.

The Notts County striker was sat on a bike on a wooden bridge over the River Traun in Obertraun, Austria, looking up at the Dachstein Mountains, which provide the spectacularly beautiful backdrop to the Magpies' training base this week.

"I bet it would be an amazing view from up there," he said, still wet having only just climbed out of the Traun after another hard training session.

Hughes enjoyed the view from the top of League Two too, last season, as he fired the Magpies to the title with an extraordinary 30 goals in 39 league games. The 34-year-old ended the season, his first at Meadow Lane, with 33 goals in all competitions.

Now, he is hoping to scale new heights with Notts in the next two years, into the Championship, having signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the club until 2012.

Later, just before dinner, he revealed a Championship club tried to prize him away from the Magpies this summer after his goalscoring feats last season, but he never entertained the thought of leaving Meadow Lane.

"I'm happy here," he said. "There were a few clubs interested in me, one of them in the Championship.

"But I wanted to stay here and sign the contract extension. I like the city and the fans have been superb with me and my family.

"There is no reason for me to leave because I'm enjoying my football at Notts and I've come to the stage in my career where that is so important to me."

Winning the first league title of his career with the Magpies last season was also important to Hughes, who got engaged to his girlfriend Emma on a holiday in Mexico during the summer.

"I came second in the Championship with West Brom when we got promoted into the Premier League and that was a massive achievement, but to lift a league title is special," said Hughes.

"It doesn't happen many times in a player's career.

"It would be great if we could do it again. There is a buzz around the club. Fans come up to me and say they had not enjoyed any success for years and years, before last season.

"We've given them something to cheer about, and hopefully we can again this season.

"I want to get into the Championship, definitely. I'm not here to stay in League One for the next two seasons."

He has already set himself the target of 20 goals in League One.

"Last season was great for me and I scored a lot of goals. I am fortunate to play with good players who create a lot of chances for me. I know if I get chances I will put them away," he said.

"Hopefully, I can score a lot of goals again this season. I'll be aiming for at least 20 again.

"When I do play all of the games in a season I usually do get there or thereabouts, or more."

It was suspensions rather than injuries that ruled Hughes out of games last season. Asked if he will try to curb his dissent so he does not miss so many games this season, he smirked: "I'll try my best.

"I know some of them are silly bookings, but I get frustrated easily during games. I've got to learn to calm down a bit.

"Once I'm out on the pitch I want to win, and my determination is part of my game. I will try to calm it down a bit, but not too much."

Hughes played in League One as recently as last year, with Oldham Athletic. He joined the Latics in May 2007 and scored eight goals in his first season at Boundary Park and 18 in his last season with them.

He believes his experience of playing at that level, which is shared by many of his Magpies' team-mates, will prove invaluable.

"I think it's important," he said. "You need experienced players and ones who have played at a higher level. We have got a good enough squad here not to fear anyone.

"We're going into League One as champions and we will be aiming for the play-offs. Anything more than that will be a bonus.

"We're not in there to make up the numbers. We're looking to push on from last season.

"Pre-season is going well and I feel really good. It's beautiful out here in Austria, training in the mountains. The scenery is out of this world.

"I miss my family but it's nice to come here. I've had a nice relaxing summer and now I'm raring to go again."

That sounds ominous for the Magpies' League One rivals.