NEWCASTLE head to Slovakia for tomorrow's Intertoto Cup third-round first-leg tie against FK ZTS Dubnica with manager Graeme Souness insisting the Premier League is his priority.

Souness believes the much-maligned competition is an unnecessary distraction to his pre-season preparations, despite it offering a direct route back into the UEFA Cup.

But Souness may only be preparing for the inevitable - his side face the daunting prospect of Deportivo La Coruna in the next round should they triumph against the Slovak team and either Lazio or Marseille in the final.

He said: "I'm looking to get ourselves geared up for the first Premiership game of the season - that is where my real focus is."

The United boss also took a swipe at those who drew parallels with the relatively successful league campaign the Magpies enjoyed when the club last entered the competition in 2001-02.

United finished fourth that year and qualified for the Champions League as a result, as well as having good runs in the FA Cup and League Cup. They even led the Premier League table at the half-way stage.

"People were keen to point out the last time the club was involved with the Intertoto Cup they had a great Premiership season," said an animated Souness.

"But what they failed to point out was that they were knocked out by Troyes (in the Intertoto Cup final)!"

Newcastle will be without several first-teamers for the trip to Slovakia through injury or lack of fitness and the United boss lamented the state of his threadbare squad ahead of the game.

Souness has allowed six players to leave and only Scott Parker from Chelsea and Inter Milan's Emre Belozoglu have been brought in as replacements - both are unavailable for the clash.

Despite this, the Newcastle boss declared he needs only five more new faces before being fully satisfied with his current squad for the new campaign, one more player than last season.

"If you don't have a big squad you can't compete on all fronts," said the 52-year-old Scot, who admitted he is in the market for a new centre half who can play at left back, a striker, a left midfielder and two more squad players.

"We are talking to several clubs and the chairman (Freddie Shepherd) is aware of the situation and agrees with the choices we have made. Hopefully, we will get some in soon as the clock is ticking. We haven't got long before we're playing in the Premiership."

Souness again dismissed the idea that the club is unable to attract players of the highest calibre because they are not involved in European competition.

"Attracting players to Newcastle United has never been an issue, and never will be an issue simply because of the fanaticism (surrounding the club)," insisted Souness.

"If you're a proper player you want to play in front of fanatical fans and we're not short on that score. That goes back to my day. I had a chance to join this football club and I wanted to join this football club."

Newcastle's opponents tomorrow beat Hungarian side Vasas SC 2-0 on aggregate in the first round before dispatching Turkey's BB Ankaraspor 4-1 in the second round.

Souness is under no illusion Dubnica will provide a stern test for his under-strength side's credentials and admitted he would be happy to return to St James' Park with a draw.

He said: "It is going to be a very difficult game for us. The fact no one knows about this team makes people think it will be a formality, but it will not be.

"They have been back (in training) for six weeks and have had two competitive games. We have been back a fortnight and played no games. Two weeks is not enough to be prepared to play competitive games.

"As well as Emre and Scott Parker not being available for the game, JJ (Jermaine Jenas), Stephen Carr and Shay Given will be on the bench and Titus (Bramble) is missing. This shows how bare we are."

Souness said the side picked to play in Slovakia tomorrow will bare little resemblance to the one that turns out at Highbury on the opening day of the new season. The United boss even cheekily added to recent speculation linking midfielder Jenas with a move to Arsenal when asked how his side would line-up on August 14.

He said: "We are not in the business of selling our best players," before adding: "But it depends on who they (Arsenal) get in to replace Vieira!"

Paul Huntingdon has been added to an 18-man squad travelling to Slovakia.

The central defender has recently graduated from the Newcastle Academy.