Boss Mike Davies is confident The New Saints are in good shape as they kick off this summer’s Europa League campaign at home to Cliftonville tonight.

After the briefest of summer breaks, last season’s Welsh Premier League runners-up have had little time to draw breath as they do battle with their Belfast visitors in the first qualifying round (7pm).

But, with four new signings, Davies is backing his side to repeat last year’s famous triumph against Irish outfit Bohemians – a win that has seen them seeded this time around.

“There’s a lot of competition for places, the most competition since I’ve been at the club which can only be a good thing, “ he said.

“It’s going to be a bit of a selection headache as we’ve got so many players pushing for places, and some are going to be disappointed.

“But it is a long season ahead and there will be plenty of opportunities for everybody to play their part.

“We exceeded our expectations last year, and being a seeded side, there is more pressure on us to do well.

“It’s a different type of pressure. Not being the underdog is a unique situation for us, but one I’m confident we can handle.

“These occasions bring the best out of players, these are the games they want to be involved in.”

By chance, the two sides met in a friendly at Park Hall two weeks ago, with Cliftonville winning 2-1 courtesy of a last-gasp goal.

But Davies believes that encounter will have little bearing on tonight’s events.

“They will know a bit about us and we’ll know a bit about them but we made eight changes, so you can’t read too much into it,” he said.

“We know that they are a good ,quality side, so we will have to play well.”

With both sides playing on artificial surfaces, the trip to Park Hall will not prove as daunting for Cliftonville as other teams.

TNS are close to full strength apart from suspended forward Matty Williams, sent off against CSKA Sofia last summer.

The return leg takes place in Belfast next Thursday, and the winners will face Danish side FC Midtylland in the second qualifying round.

By JOHN BRIDGWATER