LONDON, April 13 - Celtic striker Chris Sutton is
prepared to play through the pain barrier against Villarreal in
Spain on Wednesday as the Scottish side attempt to reach the
last four of the UEFA Cup for the second successive season.
Sutton aggravated a groin injury during Celtic's Scottish
Cup semi-final win over Livingston at the weekend after scoring
twice.
"I will rest it and see on Wednesday. I've had it a while
but I have always managed to get through games," Sutton told the
club's website. "But I would walk through a brick wall to play."
Unfashionable Villarreal, who have dumped out Galatasaray
and AS Roma in their debut European season, were good value for
a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, producing a performance of attacking
zeal that impressed Celtic midfielder Jackie McNamara.
"I think they're as good as any team we've played in Europe
over the last couple of seasons," he said.
Celtic will be without suspended midfielder Alan Thompson,
while Villarreal should be at full strength.
Italy's last representatives in European competition this
season, Inter Milan, must overturn a 1-0 deficit at the San Siro
against Olympique Marseille to continue their quest for a fourth
UEFA Cup title.
DROGBA SUSPENDED
Inter trail after a Didier Drogba strike in last week's
first leg but the goal came at some cost to the Ivory Coast
forward.
Drogba was booked for his over-exuberant celebrations and is
suspended, leaving coach Jose Anigo few options up front as
French international Steve Marlet is still out through injury.
"If our defence holds in San Siro as it did in Marseille,
there won't be any problem," said midfielder Laurent Batlles.
"Didier (Drogba) is one of the best strikers in Europe now.
We really want to qualify for him. He has done so much for us."
Valencia, who took top spot from Real Madrid in the Primera
Liga at the weekend, will be favourites to progress to a
semi-final clash with Villarreal or Celtic after coming from a
goal down to win 2-1 away at Girondins Bordeaux in the first
leg.
Midfield playmaker Pablo Aimar has not recovered from a
groin injury and will not be risked while Mali midfielder
Mohamed Sissoko is battling to overcome an ankle strain.
Bordeaux have selection problems. Leading scorer Jean-Claude
Darcheville is sidelined by a knee injury while midfielder Rio
Mavuba, defender Franck Jurietti and Moroccan striker Marouane
Chamakh are suspended.
To add to coach Michel Pavon's headaches, defender David
Jemmali and Russian striker Alexei Kossonogov are doubtful with
injuries.
Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven drew 1-1 in the first leg
in the Netherlands with Jermaine Jenas securing an away goal for
the premier league side.
PSV's Arjen Robben is likely to miss the remainder of the
season with a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has
sidelined him for the last month.