George Burley says his Town side will have to be at their very best in order to beat FK Sartid in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. The Blues' boss has had the Serbians watched and has also studied tapes of the Smederevo side.

Town go into the game with the same squad as faced Norwich at the weekend with Chris Makin, Martijn Reuser and Keith Branagan all still missing.

Reuser is likely to be out for up to a month after having an exploratory operation last week where surgeons just trimmed cartilage around his knee.

Makin is training but has had to go through what amounts to a pre-season on his own, but may get a reserve team outing next week.

Branagan is still on the sidelined after his shoulder operation last season.

Marcus Bent felt a twinge to his hamstring at the weekend but he is now not thought to be a worry.

Thursday's opposition arrive in England tomorrow after a drawing at the weekend, a game which a Town representative kept an eye on: “We had them watched on Saturday, they drew 1-1 with Red Star Belgrade and are fifth in their top division.

“They have started the season well and are a very good passing team. We've got a couple of videos of them, they play with a sweeper at the back and pass through midfield and have got some very good experienced players, so it'll be a tough game. They are one of the top Yugoslavian teams and we know it's going to be difficult.

“It's great to be involved in Europe for the second year on the trot, representing the country. It'll be another big night at Portman Road and we're certainly looking forward to it.

Against Luxembourg side Avenir Beggen Burley gave a senior debut to youngster Matt Richards. However, he feels that Sartid are a sterner test and he will not be making too many changes from his first team: “This is a different type of opposition to Avenir Beggen, this is a first class opposition, a very strong side and we'll have to be at our very best to get through.

“We will change a couple of little things, but it is certainly a different sort of game to the Luxembourg one. It promises to be a very good match, they are a good footballing side, they pass it well, have a couple of internationals and it'll be a good cup-tie.”

The Yugoslavs faced Welsh side Bangor City in the last round of the UEFA Cup and Town have spoken to the club managed by former Forest man Peter Davenport: “We've spoken to Bangor and they say they're a very good side and we've watched a video of the game. They are technically very good, they pass it and keep possession build up slowly and it is important for us to try to put pressure on them early on to stop them getting a rhythm and hopefully get a couple of goals.”

Likely squad: Marshall, Pullen, Wilnis, Clapham, Wright, Hreidarsson, Venus, McGreal, Brown, Gaardsøe, Holland, Magilton, Ambrose, T Miller, George, Couñago, D Bent, M Bent, Armstrong and Naylor.

Photo: Action Images

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