Sayf al - Dawla now needed time .
As soon as Nikephoros Phokas returned victorious from Crete in summer 961 , Sayf al - Dawla began preparations for Sayf al - Dawla 's next campaign in the east .
Sayf al - Dawla now needed time , but as soon as Nikephoros Phokas returned victorious from Crete in summer 961 , he began preparations for his next campaign in the east .