FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson reckons his squad has more than enough quality to make the next round of the Europa League - even though they're far from 100 per cent fit.
Hodgson gets his first look at Lithuania as either coach or player this evening (Thursday) when Fulham take on surprise qualifiers FK Vektra, who stunned everyone with a 3-1 away win at HJK Helsinki in the last round.
Hodgson travelled to the Finnish capital to see the tie - and is confident this will be the end of the line for the team with a tiny 5,900-capacity stadium in Vilnius.
He said: "Vektra deserved to beat HJK - they were clearly the better team.
"But if I was about to apply for a job at both clubs - I know which one I would rather coach - and it isn't the one in Lithuania.
"We have the depth, experience and know-how that should see us into the next round - providing we play to our capabilities."
The Fulham manager expects to field almost the same team that forged its way to a wonderful seventh spot in the Premiership, but he admits the close season has deprived him of key players like Clint Dempsey and Dickson Etuhu - demanded by their countries for international duty.
Hodgson said: "It's true players have been returning to us in bits and pieces.
"And so far, there have only been three or four who've played 90 minutes at any level.
"We're a way off being ready for the first Premiership match - but if we can get past this hurdle, we'll be much better prepared for the next round in the middle of August."
Striker Andy Johnson returns to the squad having been ruled out for domestic reasons in the 3-3 draw at Peterborough on Saturday, and John Pantsil is expected to recover from a cold that laid the defender low earlier this week.
The small band of Whites supporters headed for the biggest Baltic state got there tonight by winning a ballot for the club's tiny allocation.
But there should be no problem for anyone wishing to see the return leg at Craven Cottage a week today (Thursday) which kicks off at 8pm.
