West Ham return to European competition proper for the first time in 19 years tonight and some of the players are letting it go to their heads. For Javier Margas the occasion is so special he has promised to dye his hair claret and blue.

There has been a transformation in relations between Margas and West Ham, handing him a place in the UEFA Cup first-round tie with the Croatian side Osijek.

At the end of last season he was definitely not the manager Harry Redknapp's favourite Chilean. A knee injury and family problems encouraged him to break his contract, but he returned to London in the summer and is mending bridges.

With Stuart Pearce's broken leg adding to the catalogue of defensive injuries that already rule out Rio Ferdinand, Neil Ruddock, Scott Minto and Ian Pearce, Margas starts tonight, his newly coloured locks signalling a fresh approach.

Redknapp said: "He wants to stay and give it a go. I've noticed a difference with him this time and crucially he is now fit." Margas will rely on the influence of Igor Stimac at the back, while the rest of the team have gleaned useful inside information from the Croatian international.

"Like all Croatian sides they will be difficult to beat," Stimac said. "But I'm confident West ham have more quality. Our fans will have to be patient but the atmosphere at Upton Park is what Osijek will fear most." Davor Suker's home-town club lie third in the domestic league and recently held Croatia Zagreb to the same goalless scoreline that Ossie Ardiles's team achieved at Old Trafford two nights ago.

They boast two players who are tipped to become stars of world renown in the 19-year-old sweeper Jurica Vranies and the midfielder Marko Babic.