UEFA Cup Previews: Second round, first legs

Leeds Utd v Lokomotiv Moscow

Leeds might be one of the most entertaining sides in the UEFA Cup this season but manager David O'Leary insists that his team are merely the warm-up act and that they will still be underdogs when the losers from the Champions League group stages eventually join the competition.

O'Leary, who believes the UEFA Cup is of secondary importance for the Premiership leaders, said: "I would love to get to the final of the UEFA Cup but you wouldn't want to get bogged down in this competition. But I don't think we will. We are the warm-up before the big boys from the Champions League come into it so we'll keep it ticking over until they bail out of that (Champions League)."

O'Leary knows that his side will have to be at their best to overcome Lokomotiv despite their weekend defeat against rivals Spartak. "They will be a very tough outfit to beat, particularly over there. They are a good side. They love to score goals, are talented in midfield and dangerous on the break," he said.

Ian Harte trained for 20 minutes yesterday morning but Leeds will wait for any reaction to his recent knee surgery before declaring him fit.

Steaua Bucharest v West Ham

West Ham's UEFA Cup cause received a boost yesterday when Paolo Di Canio said he wanted to end his playing days with the club. Di Canio's flamboyant form since moving from Sheffield Wednesday last season helped Harry Redknapp's men finish fifth in the Premiership and negotiate their way through the InterToto Cup.

Di Canio said: "I'm sure now I want to finish my career here. I have found happiness with the manager. The club know me and understand me. They know my character. I love the lads and I have a great friendship with them."

Redknapp has a full squad to pick from apart from defender Igor Stimac who has been forced by UEFA to serve his forgotten suspension. The Croatian was sent off playing for Hadjuk Split five years ago and had not served his ban when he played against Osijek in the first round.

UEFA rejected Osijek's appeal to throw-out West Ham but insisted Stimac serve his two-game suspension.

Redknapp said: "It's important that we come here and get a result. We'll treat it the same as all the other away games. We'll go out and have a go."

FC Zurich v Newcastle

Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson is warning his players not to look too far ahead as they face FC Zurich. Robson said: "I don't think you should look too far ahead in any competition. Don't think you might get Juventus because you might not be around for Juventus."

Robson saw the Swiss side come from 2-0 down to draw with Delemont at the weekend, and the tactical changes which inspired the revival did not go unnoticed. "The coach made a couple of changes at half-time and the two players he brought on revitalised the team," he said. "I would expect they will start after what I saw of them. That's why I was pleased I went."

Robson is likely to make few changes to the side which lost 4-1 to Coventry last Saturday with Silvio Maric replacing the ineligible Kevin Gallacher alongside Alan Shearer. Spanish defender Marcelino came through a reserve team game unscathed on Tuesday night but Aaron Hughes is expected to retain his place.

One certain starter is Warren Barton, who was sent off at Coventry last Saturday for lashing out at Youssef Chippo.

Lyon v Celtic (7.45)

Lubomir Moravcik claims he will be unfazed by the hostile reception set to come his way on his return to France with Celtic after making his name for Lyon's local rivals St Etienne.

When asked if he anticipated the Lyon fans singling him out for barracking, Moravcik said ruefully: "I have no friends in Lyon. It's going to be a big game for me. In my first derby game I scored for St Etienne against Lyon and at one point I was asked if I wanted to play for Lyon but it didn't work out.

"I don't think the fact I played for St Etienne is going to affect me now though. The abuse is going to be the same but it won't bother me."

Celtic manager John Barnes, whose main selection poser is how to replace the injured Eyal Berkovic (thigh), needed no prompting to emphasise Moravcik's current value to Celtic. He said: "Lubomir is important to us in every game we play, be it Ayr or Lyon away. He's a wonderful player who can create problems for opposing defences.

Lyon's victory last week at Marseille through a goal from £11 million striker Sonny Anderson leaves them second in the French top division.