Hamburg and Viking hamstrung

Schalke defeat
The home team triumphed at PFC CSKA Sofia in their Group A opener while Viking won impressively against AS Monaco FC. Hamburg then ended FC Schalke 04's unbeaten Bundesliga start on Saturday despite the absence of their goalscorer in Sofia, Rafael van der Vaart, through suspension.

Hamburg absentees
But while the Dutchman returns against the Norwegian Fair Play entrants, striker Emile Mpenza has a shin injury and joins Bastian Reinhardt and Guy Demel on the sidelines. Benjamin Lauth or Naohiro Takahara will replace Mpenza, while midfielder David Jarolím serves a one-game UEFA Cup ban.

Doll hopeful
Despite the absentees, Hamburg coach Thomas Doll is optimistic. "We had to do without important players in our 1-0 win against Schalke and we played well," he said. "It is obviously a blow for Emile to be injured and David is also out, but we will have Van der Vaart back. I hope we can continue our good run and get the right result against Viking."

Hodgson headaches
The visitors finished the Norwegian season in fifth place after beating Ålesunds FK 3-0 on Saturday. However, coach Roy Hodgson has lost defender Ronny Deila to a back injury, while Peter Kovacs (cruciate ligament) and Fredric Lundqvist (heel) were already out.

Low expectations
Left-back Thomas Pereira pulled out of training on Monday with a leg problem and is doubtful along with Peter Kopteff (knee) and Allan Gaarde (hamstring). Hodgson said: "I hope people don't expect too much of us against a strong team - a point in Hamburg would be a big achievement. The injury problems will make our task even more difficult."