Inverness CT v West Ham United/Birkirkara in Europa League

Richie Foran and the rest of his teammates have it all to do in their second leg clash. Picture: SNS

SHOULD Inverness CT upset the odds and defeat Astra Giurgiu they will face either English Premier League side West Ham United or Maltese outfit Birkirkara in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

John Hughes’s men lost 1-0 in Inverness last night and they have it all to do when they travel to Romania for next Thursday’s second leg.

Should they achieve the improbable they will likely face a ‘Battle of Britain’ clash against Slaven Bilic’s men, with the likes of Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho running out onto the Caledonian Stadium turf.

The East London club qualified for this year’s competition through the fair play table, having finished in 12th place in the English Premier League.

Birkirkara, though relatively unknown on these shores, did make things very difficult for The Hammers who took until the 90th minute to break through in the first leg encounter at Upton Park.

They will take confidence from that clash as they try to overturn the 1-0 deficit in Malta next Thursday.

The third round ties will take played over two legs on 30 July and 6 August.