Bosvelt alert to CSKA challenge

SC Heerenveen midfielder Paul Bosvelt and PFC CSKA Moskva captain Sergei Ignashevich have both lifted the UEFA Cup - but neither will give any quarter in their quest to repeat the feat when their two teams meet at the Abe Lenstra in Group F.

Strong pool
Bosvelt, who captained Feyenoord to victory in the 2002 final, is under no illusions how tough a test he and his team-mates face attempting to qualify from a strong pool - and he insisted he will not be lulled into a false sense of security by holders CSKA's cautious approach.

'Risks required'
"It is not in the Russian nature to take the initiative," explained former Dutch international Bosvelt. "We have to take the risks seeing as we're at home, but not too many. CSKA are a side who rock you into sleep by giving you the idea you control the match, and then they suddenly strike swift and deadly. They are lethal on the counterattack. Just like robots, they keep on going. But if we are able to score, CSKA will have to come forward - and that would be to our advantage."

Pleasing point
Heerenveen, for whom defender Jeroen Drost is a doubt with a groin strain, come into the game on the back of three straight draws and Bosvelt concedes that a fourth share of the spoils would be an acceptable result. "Of course we want to win at home," the 35-year-old added. "But we have to be realistic, these are the Russian leaders and the UEFA Cup holders. It is not just a game you easily can win, so we would not mourn a draw."

Returning players
CSKA, who lost their opening Group F encounter against Olympique de Marseille, are almost back to full-strength with Yuri Zhirkov available again following injury and fellow midfielder Dudu Cearense training again following his lay-off. Centre-forward Sergei Pravosud remains on the sidelines alongside long-term casualty Ivica Olič, as CSKA look to record a third straight win in all competitions.