Lack Of European Football Hits Toon Bad!

Steve Harper: "We've got some big tests here in Mallorca, and that will be good.

"Everything is geared to the first game of the season.

"Europe is where we want to be, though. We'd like to think we can get back into Europe next year, and that's certainly what we'll be aiming for.

"The European nights are special. I was fortunate to play in a couple of Champions League games, which were amazing.

"That's the ultimate goal for everybody.

"We'd like to think we could get there within two or three years - that's what the manager was bought here for.

"The aim is to get the club back to where it was when he left last time.

"We're building towards Man United an August 17, and we're quite happy to lose every pre-season game then win at Old Trafford.

"It's really about fitness. We got six weeks to work hard and press our claims for the No 1 spot. That's all we can do.

"The aim is to blow the cobwebs away after a couple of months off, and then take it from there."