IPSWICH boss George Burley today spoke of his excitement at the club's hectic fixture schedule.Town take on Torpedo Moscow at Portman Road on Thursday, then travel to face champions Manchester United at Old Trafford only 43 hours later.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH boss George Burley today spoke of his excitement at the club's hectic fixture schedule.

Town take on Torpedo Moscow at Portman Road on Thursday, then travel to face champions Manchester United at Old Trafford only 43 hours later.

When his team was confronted by a busy programme last season en route to a treble of Cup successes, Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier let his frustration boil over.

But Burley said: "These are exciting times for the club – back in Europe for the first time since 1982 and live on television across the country. There is a definite buzz about the place.

"My attitude is that it's just great to be involved. We have waited a long time for this opportunity and we should be enjoying it.

"But we certainly have to be very professional against Torpedo. We don't want to give any goals away, but at the same time we have to try to win the game.

"We must also beware getting caught on the break, because away goals are so valuable. Our preparations are going well and we will go into the game with plenty of confidence.

"We have earned our place after finishing fifth in the Premiership last season, which was a tremendous achievement, and as a manager taking my team into a big competition like the UEFA Cup is a very exciting prospect."

Striker Alun Armstrong, temporarily KO'd in Sunday's 1-1 home draw with Blackburn, is a definite non-starter against the Russians.

Burley added: "Alun was ruled out of the Torpedo game on Sunday and that situation will not change. We'll have to see what he's like with regard to the game at Old Trafford."

Unless Burley has a major team selection shock up his sleeve, it would appear to be a straight choice between Richard Naylor and Pablo Counago as to who replaces Armstrong alongside Marcus Stewart.

The Town boss has no other injury problems and it remains to be seen if there will be a recall for Jermaine Wright after he was axed from the

starting line-up at the weekend.

The enforced week-long delay in playing the Torpedo game, as a mark of respect for victims of the terrorist attacks in America, may work to Ipswich's advantage.

They sent a scout to Russia at the weekend to see Torpedo defeat bottom-of-the-table Chernomorets 3-1 and Burley, together with his backroom staff, has been studying his in-depth report.