Steaua ready to make their break

Steaua ahead
Steaua's 2-1 win at home to Besiktas JK last week took them to six points, three clear of all four of their rivals - who, other than Parma FC, have a game in hand on the Romanian contenders. Athletic sat out Matchday 3, having previously won at home to Parma and lost at Besiktas, but a two-goal triumph against Steaua would move them above their opponents. The Spanish club have only long-term injury victim Javi González absent.

Duo suspended
Meanwhile, Steaua have centre-back Petre Marin and striker Daniel Oprita suspended, with defenders Florentin Dumitru and Tiberiu Curt, midfield player Sorin Paraschiv, and forward Cristian Ciocoiu injured for their last group game. Coach Walter Zenga said: "All our players are important and those who play will have to prove that they are as good."

Carew out
If the match at San Mamés is drawn, Steaua will still progress if a winner emerges from Bestikas's meeting with R. Standard de Liège in Istanbul. Striker John Carew will miss out with an ankle problem and defender Emre Asik faces a fitness test on his knee. Midfield player Kaan Dobra should be fit after a foot injury but Ronaldo Guiaro may not return as his broken arm heals.

Coach's concern
Standard are without midfield player Wamberto through a calf injury. Coach Dominique D'Onofrio - whose side followed Thursday's 2-1 win against Parma with a 4-1 weekend defeat at K. Sint Truidense VV - said: "I saw some things on Sunday that were not acceptable. We have to rediscover against Besiktas the form we touched upon in the Parma game."