FAI Cup holders, Bray Wanderers, could be without influential defender, Maurice Farrell, for Thursday's UEFA Cup first round first leg tie with Grasshoppers, Zurich. Farrell will be in the 22-man squad which flies to Switzerland this afternoon. But the 29-year-old Dubliner reckons his chances of playing are "extremely doubtful".

A shoulder injury suffered in Sunday's one-nil victory over Longford Town means that Farrell must have constant treatment to have any hope of playing. "It's not looking good at the moment. But 48 hours could make all the difference."

Despite winning the FAI Cup last season, Bray made some unwanted football history when relegated alongside Dundalk to the First Division.

Manager Pat Devlin went on a spying mission to Switzerland on Sunday, when Grasshoppers defeated Lugano. "I was more concerned about Bray's result against Longford and was relieved to hear that we had won by a single goal." said Devlin.

"Grasshoppers are a good side and very well organised. Chapuissat was outstanding and obviously it's going to be a difficult game for us," said Devlin. "But having watched Shelbourne narrowly ousted by another Swiss side, Neuchatel Xamax in the Inter Toto Cup last month, I am not without hope. I would be hopeful of a scoreless draw or even a 1-nil defeat before the sides meet again in the second leg at the Carlisle Grounds," added Devlin.