Dundee United have received a major Europa League Conference boost after a depleted AZ Alkmaar arrived in Scotland for Thursday's big one.
Manager Pascal Jansen doesn't have his problems to seek with a clutch of his most important players missing from the third qualifying round first leg in the City of Discovery. Winger Jesper Karlsson is still dealing with a muscle injury that has kept him sidelined since the start of pre-season, while Yukinari Sugawara hasn't recovered from knee surgery.
New arrivals Zinho Vanheudsen and Jens Odggaard aren't fit while fellow new signing Richedly Bazoer will miss the clash at Tannadice due to illness. Peer Koopmeiners, brother of former AZ standout Tuen, hasn't made the trip either. And those key losses are compounded by the fact beloved midfielder Fredrik Midtsjo has signed for Galatasaray.
It's a boost for Jack Ross who is aiming to secure group stage football with the winners of this tie to take on Riga or Gil Vicente in the playoff round to reach the group stage. And the Dundee United manager sees no reason why it can't be his Premiership side who are left celebrating after both legs.
He said: “The fact we’ve drawn such an attractive tie, allied to the fact it’s grabbed the attention of supporters so much in terms of the crowd that will be in attendance, means there is that air of excitement around it.
“It’s a tie we’re very much looking forward to but, ultimately for us as players and staff, it’s about progression. While for others there will be a sense of occasion, for us it’s business. We want to stay in Europe for as long as possible. I think it’s a tie we view as a challenging one but one we believe we can progress through. That message has been there for the players consistently: while we’re playing against a good team, it’s certainly not unachievable for us to progress through this round.”
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