MICHAEL Bridges is ready to put three years of injury misery behind him and help Leeds United back into Europe.

The 24-year-old striker returned to pre-season training three weeks before his team-mates, after missing the final five months of last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

It was a shattering blow to Bridges who had only just recovered from career-threatening ankle and knee injuries.

But he said: "I'm training again with the lads and it's going really well. My aim has to be to get through the full season, score a few goals and get Leeds back into Europe again."

Bridges has been re-united with former Sunderland boss Peter Reid who was upset to see him leave the Stadium of Light in 1999 for £5 million.

Bridges said: "We are working well together again and Peter has got the place buzzing again. He wasn't happy to see me leave Sunderland but that's football."

Newcastle continue to be linked with a move for Bridges but Leeds are set to offer the striker a new contract to replace the existing deal that runs out next summer.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, July 16, 2003