Gary McCann is in positive mood ahead of the new campaign, and is clear what he believes the squad is capable of.

He said: "The playoffs are a reasonable target, and we have to get the players to buy into it. There is a strong belief in the camp that it can be achieved.

"The start of the season is key for us as it is for every team. The players are fully aware of it and we left ourselves too much to do after the poor start. One of the reasons we fell away at the end of last season was the amount of effort we spent playing catch-up and niggles and injuries caught up with us.

"But I honestly believe that this group of players can achieve the playoffs."