"I will make some changes in the side but we need to get through," said the former Celtic manager. "I think that is fundamental.
"The group stages is something we want to be involved in. It gives us a chance to play European football up until
Christmas and I think it would be great if we could achieve that."
GUIMARAES (0) v PORTSMOUTH (2)
PORTSMOUTH'S Sean Davis is fit again after missing two games with a groin injury but Papa Bouba Diop is still out with a torn hamstring and Richard Hughes may continue in midfield.
Vitoria Guimaraes coach Manuel Cajada is adamant his team can overcome a two-goal deficit. "It is certainly not mission impossible," said Cajada.
MANCHESTER CITY (2) v OMONIA NICOSIA (1)
MANCHESTER City midfielder Vincent Kompany is expected to shake off a slight knee problem to face the Cypriots at Eastlands. City will however be without Martin Petrov and Michael Johnson, who are sidelined through hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
Manager Mark Hughes believes his rapidly assembled side need time to settle, particularly after losing their last two matches. "The more games we play together the better we will become," he said.
STANDARD LIEGE (2) v EVERTON (2)
EVERTON manager David Moyes wants his side to adopt a win-at-all-costs mentality to end a slump that has seen them lose all three home matches in the league and drop out of the Carling Cup. "We hope we're only 90 minutes away from good times again. That's the plan," said Moyes.
Midfielder Steven Pienaar could make his first appearance of the season for Everton after recovering from a broken toe.
WISLA KRAKOW (1) v TOTTENHAM (2)
SPURS manager Juande Ramos insists his side can quickly redeem themselves, starting with a place in the Uefa Cup group stages. "When you win you are the king. When you lose you are the worst," said the Spaniard. "I understand the situation. I'm sure if we win in the next two to three weeks then it will be a case of Ramos is the best in the world. This is football."
Skipper Ledley King is set to return to the starting line-up after being rested against Portsmouth at the weekend.
The full article contains 413 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
