Key is in his second season in charge at Leeds.

Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Andy Key says his objective next season is to reach the Heineken Cup.

After securing their Premiership status, the Yorkshire club will be aiming for a top-six finish.

"Getting into the Heineken Cup was always the third part of our three year plan," Key told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It's now about putting a squad together and a game plan good enough to achieve that goal, but that is certainly our objective."

Leeds now hope to finalise deals on new arrivals within the next week as they aim to build their squad for next season.

Key explained: "We've already had a few meetings this week with players and their agents to confirm pen can be put to paper and deals can be completed.

"We'd hope within the next seven days we'll be in a position to announce half a dozen new signings. We know people want to see big name signings, but it's about getting the balance right for the club and bring the right quality in.

It's very hard, but you have to be ruthless. We need to move on and now we are in the Premiership for another season we have to strengthen Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Andy Key

"With the players we currently have in the squad we've had an unbelievable demonstration that players want to be here for the right reasons.

"That's when it becomes very hard, because you can look at a lot of the guys and say they are great club players, but are they good enough to continue the journey and the answer for some unfortunately is no.

"So when we go out in the market we have to make sure we replace those guys with the sort of qualities those guys had behind the scenesm both on and off the field, but with better talent."

Leeds have already confirmed 10 players will leave them at the end of the season, and more are expected to exit, as the club make room for new additions.

"We have to move on now and it's about strengthening what we've been working on, so we can continue to be a force to be reckoned with," said Key.

"A few of the players are moving on because that's their choice and for about five of them we'd have preferred for them to stay here. But they feel now is the time to move on and we wish them well.

"It's very hard, but you have to be ruthless. We need to move on and now we are in the Premiership for another season we have to strengthen."

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