Stephen Maher is hoping he can use his European experience to help Dundalk to a winning start in Luxembourg tonight (6.30pm Irish time).

The Lilywhites’ full-back played in the Europa League with St. Patrick’s Athletic last season and he is hoping that experience counts when he takes to the field against CS Grevenmacher tonight.

“It’s going to be difficult,” he said. “We’ll be allowed to have the ball more than we would in a League match. I think it will suit us. If we are given time to play then we can really knock it about. We’ll have to be composed and keep the ball but I’m sure the lads will learn that quickly.

“It’s a two-legged tie so we know it’s not just all on one game. It would be great to get a clean sheet and an away goal and then be in a position to come abck to Oriel Park to finish it off.”

The Lilywhites go into action without Peter Cherrie (foot), Michael Synnott (knee) and Liam Burns (stomach).

Manager Ian Foster is aware of how important the match is to the club. The club has been out of European competition since 2002-03 when they lost to Varteks Varazdin of Croatia.

However, Foster wants to make sure there is a positive result from tonight’s match to bring back to Oriel Park.

“It’s a huge game for the club,” said Foster. “We have to be careful and work them out on the night. We have to know when to attack and when to sit off a bit. It is going to be a real test for our players.

“But I’d love to come back with something, whether that is an away goal, a draw or even a win. It would be great for the club, but also for the Airtricity League.”