North to miss the start of the new season

Sligo Rovers pre-season preparations got underway this week as the players returned to training ahead of their 2013 title defence.

Four members of the squad, including new addition Evan McMillan along with Ian Baraclough and Gary Stevens attended a media briefing today as members of the press spoke to them about the season ahead.

Prolifical striker Danny North spoke to extratime.ie at the event and answered what was on every Sligo Rovers fans mind - when does he expect to be available for selection again?

"I won't be ready for the start of the season, I know that. I will probably looking at April or May before I will be available for selection. It was disappointing when I was told that but there's no point in rushing it.

"I knew I would be able to get back running early enough, I've been running a little bit for a while now, nothing too much though because I can't twist and turn on it yet. Right now it's just about building up the muscles in my leg and pushing on from there."

With teams like Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic among others boasting strong squads ahead of the new season, Danny feels retaining the title will be a much tougher task than when they first won it but believes the champions have what it takes to finish top again.

"I think that will always be the case, trying to retain the title, it's always going to be tough because of the expectations on you all year. Obviously they have strong squads but so do we and there's no reason we can't go on and do what we did last year."

Club captain Danny Ventre agreed terms on a new deal with the club over the weekend and the 25-year-old has hailed him as their biggest signing of the season.

"I think Danny is our biggest signing of the season to be honest. I think anyone can see when he is taken out of the middle of the park during games it makes a big difference. He's club captain, a vital member of the squad and a great lad to have around and I'm delighted that he's back."

North hopes to be back to full fitness by July as he prepares for his first ever season in Champions League football. He also hopes to create more history for the club as they aim to end a long wait for a win in European football.

"Well Champions League football is an incentive to win the League. Obviously we want to get as far as we can in it and enjoy the experience again because you go places you aren't really going to go on holiday and of course win a game of football so it's always something to look forward to.

"Obviously the target will be to go through rounds, there's no point in playing if you don't aim to win. Sligo haven't done to well in Europe in the past so if we can change that and have a bit of a run in Europe. We want to create history and break more records at this club and winning our first ever Champions League game is one those."