High stakes in Paris

The stakes are high for both Paris Saint-Germain FC and Rangers FC as they prepare for a UEFA Cup third-round decider in the Parc des Princes stadium tonight that will leave the defeated side with much to do to raise morale.

Mid-winter gloom
For Rangers, who are already confronting the possibility that the Scottish Premier League is no longer within reach after Celtic FC stretched their lead to 12 points at the weekend, the game will determine whether they are to be cast into mid-winter gloom. Win or lose it seems certain that they will be waving goodbye to Unites States skipper Claudio Reyna after the game as he is lined up for a €7.5m move to Sunderland AFC.     

Klos commits
At least manager Dick Advocaat can count on the continuing services of goalkeeper Stefan Klos who has agreed a new two-year contract keeping him at Ibrox stadium until 2005. That news came as a welcome relief to the club's hierarchy who are feeling the strain as they struggle to keep pace with their Glasgow rivals.

Amoruso ban
Rangers' disciplinary problems will have little effect on this game. Central defender Lorenzo Amoruso is serving a three-match ban after he was ordered off in a Scottish League Cup match last week, though he is available for the trip to Paris. In addition fellow defender Michael Ball was recently hit with a €16,000 club fine after he rowed with Advocaat on the touchline after being substituted in a recent game with Celtic.

Delicately poised
The tie is delicately poised after the first leg ended 0-0 and the Paris team put themselves in goalscoring form when they hammered four goals past Espérance Sportivo Troyes AC to book their place in the last 16 of the French League Cup and continued their upturn in results since the first leg. Teenage Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche began the goal spree but once again the victory had to share headline space with the continuing debate about the future of Nicolas Anelka.

Anelka injury
A toe injury has forced the former Arsenal FC and Real Madrid CF striker to miss the last four matches and it had been thought that Sunday's fixture would represent his comeback. Coach Luis Fernandez explained away his continuing absence by saying the player was still not 100 per cent right to return.

Brazilian pairing
Anelka, however, has declared himself fit to take on Rangers but it is thought that Fernandez might prefer to start with the Brazilian strike pairing of Alex and Jose Aloisio with Ronaldinho operating just behind.

Lucky escape
Rangers had a lucky escape the day before the game when the pilot of their chartered aircraft was forced to abort their landing in Paris at the last moment when he spotted another plane on the runway. They will doubtless hope that lady luck smiles on them again at the Parc des Princes.