FIRST-TIME skipper Andy Holdsworth says the Town squad can't wait for the season proper to kick off.

Even though Town laboured to a 2-1 win over an island XI to secure third place in the Copa de Ibiza last night, Holdsworth is confident Peter Jackson's side are destined for the Championship by this time next year.

Holdsworth will return home suffering an ankle injury which appeared so serious at first that manager Jackson ran onto the pitch to check on his star 20-year-old full-back.

Holdsworth hobbled away from the ground in San Antonio with ice on his right foot, but he had much warmer feelings about the season to come.

"We've got a great set of lads, the bond between us is superb and we know there are bright things ahead of us," said Holdsworth.

"Everyone is looking forward to the season and, if we start this time like we finished the last, then hopefully we should be up there.

"The lads simply can't wait for the season to get under way because we are confident we've got a good squad here and this might be the season we go up again."

Holdsworth was delighted to be named captain in the absence of injured duo Andy Booth (ankle) and Nathan Clarke (thigh) and with Jon Worthington being rested to the bench.

Worthington went on to score the winning goal seven minutes from time after Tony Carss had wiped out an early opener for Ibiza by Miguel Ramon.

While QPR and Coventry meet in tonight's final (8.00), Holdsworth said: "I was shocked to get the armband to be honest, but it shows the gaffer is putting a lot of faith in me."

Manager Jackson commented: "Our attitude and fitness was good last night and, while we didn't play as well as we did against Coventry, the Ibiza side gave us a good test in what was our second game in 24 hours.

"We gave away a sloppy goal - something we've got to cut out -- but the lads stuck to the task and I couldn't have asked any more from them on this trip.

"They have worked extremely hard and the organisation from PlayHARD Sports has been excellent, enabling us to have a very enjoyable stay."