The New Saints seeking to overturn deficit

After last week’s first leg, the Welsh Premier champions are under no illusions about the size of the task against classy opponents if they are to progress in Europe’s biggest competition.

Should they pull off a victory, the Saints will play either Hibernians (Malta) or Red Bull Salzburg in third qualifying round. The Austrians are favourites after carving out a three-goal lead from the away leg.

They will need to score twice without reply to level matters and take the tie into extra-time, while a third goal would take them through.

However, they will be wary of conceding an away goal which would leave the Oswestry side having to score four times in order to progress.

After a gutsy showing at Stadion Rijeka, TNS will be attempting to progress to the third qualifying round for only the second time in their history.

Interim manager Scott Ruscoe will weigh up his options, and is backing his side to prove a handful on their own Park Hall ground.

“The game’s definitely not dead in the water. They’ve now got to come over here and play on our 3G where we have a good record,” he said.

“We showed we can create chances last week and we have worked hard to put things right.”

The Saints, who lost to Gibraltar side FC Europa in their previous home tie, know there can be no half measures against the impressive Croatians.

Having won the national title for the first time last season, the visitors boast a number of internationals in their squad, including Mario Gavranovic who has 11 Switzerland caps and has scored 18 goals from 42 starts for Rijeka.

Defender Stefan Ristovski has 33 appearances for Macedonia.