Walton badminton player Toby Penty is prioritising improving his world ranking as he aims to secure a place as one of the top eight players on the planet in the coming years.

Penty is currently number two in England in the men’s singles and has reached a career high of 73rd in the world.

And at 24, the former Halliford School pupil has time on his side and has proven in 2015 he has the talent to compete with the best.

Penty has impressed as captain of Birmingham Lions in the AJ Bell National Badminton League.

And he is looking to build on the experience.

“I have been playing quite well, but not getting the wins so I want to keep beating the players in the top 50 in the world to boost my ranking," said Penty.

“It is tough because it is a time of Olympic qualifying but I think I am showing the level I can play at.

“I don’t think I am a million miles away from being the UK’s number one. Rajiv Ouseph has been there for some time and deservedly so, but I am trying my best to catch up with him.

“Maybe after the Olympics is the time to reassess and try to get the number one spot but at the moment I am more focussed on my world ranking and in trying to push on internationally.

“The career goal is to be in the top eight of the world. I want to get to that Super Series level and then become seeded for those events. That is a massive ask though because the standard of badminton has gone up massively in recent years but it is something that I definitely believe I can do.”

The NBL consists of 15 fixtures played on Monday nights between November and March, with the top four teams going on to compete for the Championship title on Finals Day on May 8.

Former MK Badminton star Penty had five different offers in the summer but opted to join Birmingham Lions.

And their new captain said: “I think we can go on and do quite well in the NBL.

“Getting to the play-offs is the key because once you get there everyone has a massive chance of winning.”

* For NBL fixtures, tickets and team news visit nationalbadmintonleague.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @NBL_official