IK Start v Drogheda Utd
Uefa Cup
2nd qualifying round, 1st leg
Thursday, 10 August
Kristiansand Station
Kick-off: 1800 BST
Drogheda go into Thursday's Uefa Cup second qualifying round first leg against IK Start boosted by the return of Steven Gray and James Keddy.
Both players are available after injury although manager Paul Doolin will be without captain Declan O'Brien who is again ruled out by a broken jaw.
IK Start will include Norwegian squad members Marius Johnsen, Kristofer Haestad and Fredrik Stroemstad.
The Norwegians defeated Faroe Islands club Skala 4-0 in the previous round.
Drogheda progressed to the second qualifying round by beating HJK Helsinki 4-2 on aggregate although they needed extra-time at Dalymount Park to see off the Finnish club.
Drogheda Utd v IK Start
Drogheda United will again be without club captain Declan O'Brien for Thursday's Uefa Cup second qualifying round second leg against IK Start.
O'Brien has recovered from a broken jaw but he is ineligible for the Dalymount Park clash after being ruled out of the first leg.
Drogheda, 1-0 down from the game in Norway, are also without the suspended Brian Shelley.
The Irish club knocked out HJK Helsinki in the previous round.
Drogheda midfielder Paul Keegan says Derry's 5-1 thumping of Gretna a fortnight ago should boost the confidence of all Eircom League clubs in European games.
\"It looks like Derry are going to be in the first round proper after they battered Gretna in the first leg and it would be great to be there with them,\" said Keegan.
\"Whether or not it happens this year remains to be seen but I can see an Irish side reaching the group stages of the UEFA Cup in the not-too-distant future.\"
Drogheda 1-0 IK Start (agg 1-1)
IK Start win 11-10 on penalties
Drogheda United suffered Uefa Cup heartbreak as they lost 11-10 on penalties to Norwegian side IK Start.
Drogheda, 1-0 down from the first leg of the second qualifying round game, forced extra-time when Eamon Zayed headed in after 83 minutes.
Graham Gartland saw Drogheda's first penalty saved but then home keeper Dan Connor denied Valencia's kick.
When it came around to Gartland again, keeper Nilssen made a repeat save, allowing Barlin to net the winner.
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Drogheda Utd: Connor, Lynch, Webb, Gavin, Gartland, Robinson, Keddy (Whelan 71), Bradley, Keegan, Ristila (Zayed 57), Barrett (Gray 96).
Booked: Bradley, Gavin.
Goals: Zayed 84.
IK Start: Nilssen, Pedersen (Kristoffer Paulsen 90), Haland, Borgersen, Johnsen, Fevang (Stromstad 83), Aarsheim, Kristofer Haestad, Valencia, Nielsen (Barlin 71), Garba.
Booked: Johnsen, Valencia, Kristofer Haestad.
Agg: (1-1) IK Start win 11-10 on penalties
Att: 4,154
Ref: Michail Germanakos (Greece).
