REPUBLIC of Ireland striker Niall Quinn, relishing a battle for his first-team place at Sunderland, revealed last night that Peter Reid's men will not be afraid to shout about their European ambitions.

Last season there was a self-imposed ban on the E-word, but as the Wearsiders prepare to open their Premiership campaign this afternoon with a home game against an Ipswich team which surprised everyone by qualifying in fifth place, the players feel they should no longer bite their tongues as they try to follow suit.

Quinn said: "We have made a decision amongst ourselves not to be frightened about talking about getting into Europe.

"With what we have got and what we have achieved - plus what has been added to our squad in the summer - you have to look at it and think that the next step is only another three or four points away.

"We have shown we are capable of achieving that and we're not going to be afraid to aim for it."

He added: "That's the big difference - two years ago we were talking about just staying up; last year people were asking was our seventh place a fluke but this time we have got to hammer it home by saying let's really go for it.

"Last season we probably weren't sure of what we could do but now no-one is afraid to talk about Europe - this year we are more positive and we are more realistic about our chances of getting into a top-six position."

Quinn, 35 in October, believes he will benefit from the added competition for places following the arrival of £3.6m French international Lilian Laslandes, especially after his experience last season of battling painfully through matches handicapped by a persistent back injury.

He said: "Things have changed now and I didn't do myself too many favours last year by playing a lot of games and just trying to get through them.

"This season I will be able to do the opposite and if it means playing fewer games then so be it."

He added: "Being realistic there is room for more than two centre-forwards at a football club - Manchester United have been the masters of that strategy in recent years."

Reid goes into the opening game believing he has his strongest-ever squad, even though against Ipswich he is without the suspended Scottish international Don Hutchison.

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