Town are aiming for a top-six finish in the season ahead but striker David McGoldrick admits: “That’s where every team wants to be.”
But while some will ultimately be pleased to settle for mere survival in the ever-competitive Championship, he is adamant a play-off place will remain a realistic target towards the closing stages of the campaign for manager Mick McCarthy & Co.
McGoldrick said: "Obviously we know where we want to finish — every team wants to be in that top six. I think we’ve really got a good chance, but at the same time the teams that have come up and the teams that have come down are well equipped.
"It’s going to be tough. Hopefully we’ll get good home form again. I think we’ve had some good players come in and there might be a bit more activity yet. We’ve got a good squad and I think we can be around those top places.
"It’s going to be tough, but we say that every year. We’ve added some good players to our squad. If they fit in like I’ve seen them fit in in training I think we’ll have a good chance.
"We need a good start. There are some tough games, but if we can get some points — like I know we can — then it will stand us in good stead.”
Meanwhile, McGoldrick has thanked the club for sending him Stateside in the summer for part of his rehabilitation under the supervision of Bill Knowles, a world-renowned expert in his field.
McGoldrick clearly felt the benefit of working with Philadelphia-based Knowles and said: "He’s very well known. He’s worked with people like Michael Owen, Mario Balotelli and Tiger Woods.
"He was name dropping left, right and centre! It’s not a bad list to be fair, though, and it certainly got my attention.
"A lot of the rehab stuff was all about leg strength. It wasn’t cardio. The Americans are 20 years ahead of us and they were doing stuff I’ve never done before.
"I woke up every morning and my legs were sore in a good way. I’ve continued that back here with physios Alex Chapman and Matt Byard.
"I think it’s definitely helped out. I have to thank Marcus Evans for giving it the green light. It was completely different stuff to what I’ve seen and done before.
"The English way is squats and leg press, but there was none of that out there. It was more to do with core strength. I was working on parts on the leg that I’ve never felt ache before. It was really enjoyable and really eye-opening.”