Andros ready for Dnipro test

Andros Townsend has recent experience of facing Ukraine – and the Dnipro influence in the national team.

Our Europa League Round of 32 opponents had four representatives in the Ukraine squad for the World Cup qualifier against England that ended 0-0 in Kiev in September - Viyaliy Mandzyuk, Yehven Konoplyanka, Roman Zozulya and Yehven Seleznyov. Konoplyanka was particularly impressive down the left flank.

Flying winger Andros was an unused substitute on that occasion before bursting onto the international scene in the key qualifying matches against Montenegro and Poland.

Now he’s back from injury and back in the Ukraine, this time to face a Dnipro team sitting fourth in the Ukraine Premier League.

“Ukraine always produce good international teams through all the age groups, they are always strong and difficult to beat and I’m sure it will be no different against Dnipro,” said Andros ahead of the first leg at the Dnipro Arena.

“They have a number of players who play for the national team so we know we’ll have to be on our ‘A’ game to go out there and win it.

“The important thing is not to lose this game. Of course, we go out to try and win every game, but we don’t want to find ourselves out of the tie before the second leg.

“The lads are confident after the win at Newcastle and we’ll be positive.”