Jim Magilton says his players are relishing the challenge of improving on last season's eighth place finish in the Championship.

Blues were just one point adrift of the Play-Off places in 2006/07 and are rated at 16-1 to clinch top spot in the Championship next term but only 9-2 to go up, according to Town's official betting partner, bet365.

The Town boss is away with the first team squad in Loughborough this week as the build up to next season gets underway and Jim tells the Club website that the attention of the squad is already focused on the year ahead.

"Now the players have been back for a few days, the buzz is there, the banter is flying around," Jim told the Club website.

"I think the players have already got the bit between the 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."

Tickets for Town's pre-season friendly against Premiership West Brom at Portman Road on July 26 are on sale now. Full details on the ticket page of the Club website.

Fancy a flutter on Town to get promoted this season, go to Town's Official betting partner, bet365 from the Home page