Leeds have been installed as the bookmakers' favourites for the title next term following their defeat in the play-off final and Prutton is hoping to see United justify their short odds by returning to the Championship in 2009 without the need for another appearance at Wembley.

The 26-year-old experienced defeat in the division's play-offs for the second successive season when United lost 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers in London eight days ago and another term in England's third tier awaits when he begins pre-season training with his team-mates on July 4.

The Football League will announce its fixtures for the 2008-09 campaign on Monday, June 16, and the expectation on Leeds, who will begin the new term without the handicap of a 15-point penalty, has been increased further by the promotion of three major clubs – Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and Doncaster – from League One.

But Prutton, pictured, said: "I don't think this will set the club back in the long term. Obviously the plan was to go up this year, but we've got more than enough good players to make a big impact next season.

"You can't help feeling disappointed, but it's up to us how we deal with it and how we progress from here. At some stage you've got to look ahead and concentrate on the future.

"We've had a good look at the division this year and without the 15-point handicap it's going to be very different. I know it's not where we wanted to be, but I'm looking forward to next season. I'm not prepared to be negative about it.

"At times it felt like it was going to be our year, but it's not enough to leave your season in the lap of the Gods. We needed to come to Wembley and put on a performance, and we didn't do that. It's a bit of a lesson for next season."

Prutton earned himself a 12-month extension to his initial one-year contract with Leeds in November and he will remain at Elland Road next season along with the vast majority of players involved in the play-off final.

A sizeable number of fringe players are expected to leave the club to make way for new arrivals – Darren Kenton and Alan Thompson have already departed while Matt Heath was allowed to join Colchester United last month – but United chairman Ken Bates has promised to support McAllister financially during the summer transfer window.

The two men met last week, along with chief executive Shaun Harvey, to plan for the close season and the club is hoping to bring a swift conclusion to contract talks with young midfielder Jonathan Howson, who is set to receive a new deal at Elland Road.

Bates revealed that the 20-year-old has already indicated his intention to remain with Leeds in the long-term and Prutton believes the continuity provided by a settled squad will underpin another strong performance next season.

The midfielder, who lost to Yeovil while with Forest in the 2006-07 play-offs, said: "We've had 27 wins and got a hell of a lot of points together and if we go close to repeating that then we'll be fine.
"The players we've got are good enough to do it.

"There's no point whingeing about 15 points any more because that's done and dusted. We must do better next season.

"We'll get plenty of rest over the next month or so and then we'll get back to it.

"As you get older, you realise that the time off you get is precious and that it's important to make sure you come back in the right frame of mind.

"Once we get over the disappointment of Wembley, the positivity will start growing again."