Boss Jim Magilton says his players need to "raise the bar” once again when 2008/09 starts on August 9th with a home game against Preston North End. The Town manager says his players are already itching to get back into action.

Magilton told the club site: "Now the players have been back for a few days, the buzz is there and the banter is flying around.

"I think the players have already got the bit between their teeth and are looking forward to the new season.

"We were close last year, but not close enough. Sometimes we were very good, sometimes not so good, but there was certainly a big improvement overall.

"Now we have to raise the bar again. We have a couple of new faces and there will be more to follow before we kick off against Preston, and they will help take us forward.

"We will be reminding the players of what is expected of them, but they know and will be ready for the challenge."

Meanwhile, released Town full-back Michael Synnott is training with Eircom League side Bohemians having failed to find a club in England. Irish U21 international Synnott had spells on trial at York City and Luton last season after being told he had no future with the Blues.

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