The Europa league campaign begins for two Airtricity league clubs this evening.

St Pats are in Lithuania to face Zalgiris at 7.10pm, while at 7.45 in Tallaght Stadium Drogheda host Malmo.

Last year St Pats advanced to the third qualifying round of UEFA's secondary club competition, where they lost to Bundesliga side Hannover 96.

Saints have signed Philly Hughes on loan from Shelbourne just in time for the trip to Eastern Europe. Manager Liam Buckley has a full squad to choose from as he seeks to continue a run which has seen St Pats advance past the opening qualifying round in recent campaings.

Drogheda United are also at full strength for the visit of Swedish side Malmo. Although it is quite some time since Malmo made an impact at  continental level, the club which produced Zlatan Ibrahimovich reached the European Cup final in 1979.

©INPHO/Donall Farmer