World Cup stars to miss Europa opener

18 July 2010 14:00
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has stressed he will not risk damaging the club's Barclays Premier League campaign for the sake of progress in Europe. The Reds face a potentially-tricky Europa League third-round qualifier against Macedonian side Rabotnicki or Armenia's Mika later this month. Hodgson is likely to have to play both legs, the first scheduled for July 29, without any of his World Cup stars after the club's medical staff warned him about forcing them into action too early after a gruelling and lengthy season. "Possibly none of our World Cup players will play in the early Europa Cup games if we listen to the advice of the sports science people," said the 62-year-old. "They are telling me we would be very foolhardy to use players who have only been training for three or four days on the back of the World Cup that early on because that will affect us further on down the road. "If we feel we are endangering our chances of doing well in the Premier League by risking players in the early stage of the Europa League, it will be a decision the club will have to take. You have to follow the guidance."

Source: PA