MANCHESTER City manager Mark Hughes has hinted strongly that Martin Petrov will play some part in tonight's Uefa Cup quarter-final first leg against Hamburg.
Petrov returned to reserve-team action only on Monday at Newcastle, playing 45 minutes after a six-month absence with a knee injury. Hughes was there and was impressed at the way the Bulgaria winger performed on his comeback – so much so he looks lik
ely to get some game time against Hamburg.
Speaking before training last night, Hughes said: "Martin is an outstanding player. He gives you great quality, not just with his knowledge of the game but his ability to deliver great balls into good areas.
"We have missed him this year. If we had the option of Martin before, I am sure he would have had a positive impact on games.
"To see him play against Newcastle was a great thing for everyone. He had 45 minutes of good play. He looked sharp; he looked ready. He is very much in our thoughts."
Hughes, who will be without former Hamburg midfielders Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong, intends to field his strongest available team.
Hamburg, under former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, are joint top of the Bundesliga and in the semi-finals of the German Cup. Hughes said: "You need to treat the Uefa Cup with respect, in my book, because it is a prestigious competition. You have to name strong teams.
"We have come a long road this season, and it would be crazy to give up now. Why not try and win?
"We want to be in Europe again next season. It is important for the profile of the club, because there is a big focus on us with new owners.
"We are probably fighting for seventh place in the Premier League, and that would probably be enough to qualify. But ideally we would like to qualify as holders of the Uefa Cup."
That feeling was echoed by defender Micah Richards, who said: "We are all excited about this match. They beat us 1-0 in pre-season and we were disappointed about that.
"We are confident and ready for the challenge tomorrow. We will give 100 per cent and hope to get a result. The important thing is to keep a clean sheet.
"Playing in Europe is a lot different to the game at home, because the pace is slower. The Uefa Cup means a hell of a lot to the players. We have come this far and don't want to give it up."
This is City's 15th game in the competition, after they began their journey back in July – and the toughest yet, according to Hughes, with a 52,000 crowd expected at the Nordbank Arena.
He said: "This game against Hamburg has captured the imagination of a lot of people.
"It is a difficult tie for us, because they are playing very well. It is one of the most difficult games we could have had."
Jol, meanwhile, has indicated he would like to work in England again. The Dutchman has propelled the Hamburg to joint top of the Bundesliga and into the last eight of the Uefa Cup.
These are good days for Jol, who lost his job at Tottenham in October 2007 and was replaced by Juande Ramos.
But he has maintained his warmth for the Premier League while in Germany. He said: "I want to build a good side at Hamburg and stay here for another one or two seasons. I still have my house in England. So if there was a very good opportunity, maybe a club with ambitions of Europe, I would certainly think about it."
Jol remains proud of the job he did at White Hart Lane and believes Harry Redknapp, who replaced Ramos, can make a difference.
Tottenham now lie 11th in the table and are nine points above the relegation zone with seven games remaining.
Jol said: "It was almost a miracle we finished in the top five two years in a row. We did a good job.
"(Chairman] Daniel Levy wants Champions League football, that is clear.
"Harry knows he has a very good side but I had a very good squad as well. If he gets time, Spurs have got the resources and they can build a great team. But getting in the top four is very difficult."
Hamburg will again be without a number of key players as Bastian Reinhardt, Thimothee Atouba, Romeo Castelen, Maxim Choupo-Moting, Guy Demel and Alex Silva are sidelined through injury.
However, Paolo Guerrero (ankle) and Collin Benjamin (thigh) returned to training today after ankle and thigh problems respectively and could be involved against City.
Asked where his priorities lie, Jol said: "I cannot pick teams for games like Aston Villa and Spurs did because we have only 14 to 15 players to call on.
"We have a bit of an advantage because we are at home. City may have the quality but we have the spirit."
The full article contains 842 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
