Crocked keeper gives AZ hope

AZ Alkmaar hope that the absence of Middlesbrough FC goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will give them an advantage in their UEFA Cup Group D tie.

Goalkeeper injured
The top two teams in the section meet at the Alkmaaderhout with the Premiership side within a win of securing qualification for the last 32 of the tournament, but the news of Australian international Schwarzer's absence with a shoulder injury will give AZ some hope.

League draw
A goalless draw at FC Groningen at the weekend hardly marked an ideal warm-up for Louis van Gaal's men, who still have concerns over the fitness of Barry Opdam (knee), Demy de Zeeuw (groin), Pius Ikedia (hamstring) and Juha Reini (achilles), but they are not without hope of a success.

Almost there
"We are not at our best yet, but that also means we can improve," said forward Martijn Meerdink. "There is a good chance we can do that against Middlesbrough. A European match always gives a player something extra. If we win, we are almost in the next stage. And with a draw we can get there in Bulgaria next week."

Middlesbrough concerns
Australian youngster Brad Jones will be hoping to prevent any disasters as Schwarzer's stand-in at the Alkmaaderhout, with David Knight joining the squad as his understudy. Striker Mark Viduka has travelled with the squad in the hope of shaking off an achilles injury, while a broken nose is still bothering Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz.

'Winning record'
Schwarzer, meanwhile, is hoping his team do the business in his absence. "We can't go over there and play for a draw," he said. "We need to keep our 100 per cent winning record and make sure we claim that top spot. We're very close to qualification but mathematically we are not quite there yet."