ROBERTS RUES LJAJIC ABSENCE
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Manchester United-bound midfielder Adem Ljajic will miss Partizan Belgarde's Champions League qualifier against Rhyl at Belle Vue.
The 17-year-old has been excused duty by coach Slavisa Jokanovic as he is preparing for the forthcoming European Under-19 Championships with Serbia.
Ljajic was immediately loaned back to Partizan after arriving in January at Old Trafford with Zoran Tosic.
While Partizan are clear favourites to progress, Jokanovic believes they need to show the Welsh side respect in this second qualifying round first leg match.
He said: "I approach each game in a serious way. We have no right to underestimate any club, any country.
"We have all played matches against semi-professional sides and no-one is going to give you anything."
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Rhyl caretaker-coach Osian Roberts is disappointed Adem Ljajic will be missing from Partizan Belgrade's line-up at Belle Vue.
The Manchester United-bound midfielder has not travelled to Wales for this Champions League qualifier as he is playing for Serbia in the forthcoming European Under-19 Championships.
Roberts said: "It would have been nice if he had played because our players would have liked to have faced him.
"It would have been interesting and fans of Manchester United in north Wales would have liked to have seen him.
"However Partizan won't be missing much in terms of quality as the technical ability throughout their squad is of a really high standard."
Partizan have been building up their stamina in a mountain training camp and are overwhelming favourites to progress.
Roberts added: "I would expect a few scouts as well as supporters to be out looking at Serbian players. It is a one-off opportunity to see a team like Partizan in our area.
"However we like to play good football as well and get the ball on the floor. We will have a go."
Partizan coach Slavisa Jokanovic believes they need to show their opponents respect.
He said: "I approach each game in a serious way. We have no right to underestimate any club, any country.
"We have all played matches against semi-professional sides and no-one is going to give you anything."
In the Europa League, Crusaders are hoping to make it third-time lucky for the Irish League.
They entertain FC Rabotnicki of Macedonia knowing Linfield and Lisburn both suffered damaging defeats when the competition began last week.
Manager Stephen Baxter said: "There is a hunger about us, which is satisfying. I have been happy with our work-rate in pre-season and it would be good if we could keep the momentum going."