Hughton keeps feet on the ground

Blues head into the showdown currently leading the way on goal difference from their out-of-sorts Belgian opponents following a momentous 2-1 victory in the Jan Breydelstadion a fortnight ago, with Portuguese outfit Braga – last year’s runners-up – two points adrift.

Europe was considered by many an added complexity to what is already a hectic and arduous npower Championship campaign, but that view has now shifted following the club’s impressive results – with Hughton acknowledging the victory in Brugge as the pinnacle of the campaign to date.

But asked whether Birmingham could be considered leading contenders to progress into the next round, Hughton was cautious. “Naturally I would say the two favourites would be the two favourites who started this group, Braga and Brugge,” he said.

Brugge are in turmoil heading into the St Andrew’s encounter having parted ways with head coach Adrie Koster at the weekend following a fourth successive defeat, each from winning positions. Coaches Rudi Verkempinck and Philippe Clement will take charge tonight.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis, meanwhile, is expecting a much sterner challenge from Maccabi Tel Aviv when the teams square off for the second time in a fortnight in Israel tonight. In their home tie in Europa League Group E at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke cruised to a 3-0 win. Maccabi are a very different team at home though, where they are unbeaten in 12 European games stretching back to 2004. “We feel it will be a really tough game for us and we’ll put a strong team out,” said Pulis.

Fulham manager Martin Jol will also name a strong side for their Group K tie with Wisla Krakow. The Cottagers will be looking to avoid a repeat of their 1-0 defeat in Poland, although they will be without Moussa Dembele who was sent off in the away tie.