The NEW SAINTS boss Scott Ruscoe admits he would much prefer his players to be lining up against Danish side FC Midtjylland at Park Hall instead of Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday.

TNS face the Danish side in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round at the home of Cardiff City on Thursday night (7.45pm), with the second leg next week in Denmark.

Saints won’t see the pitch until they train on it tonight (Wednesday), switching to grass instead of their normal 4G as Park Hall is only licensed to host UEFA games until the third round.

But Ruscoe insists his side will be fully motivated to perform at a fantastic stadium and hopes to to see the travelling TNS support bolstered by local Welsh Premier League fans around the nation’s capital.

“We haven’t had a look at the pitch yet and won’t do until we train on it on Wednesday,” he said. “I’ve been in Newport and the lads joined me on Tuesday.

"Wednesday night will be the first time we have a look at the pitch, but that doesn’t concern me.

“I’d have rather have played the game at Park Hall because it’s the pitch we’re used to. Being at the Cardiff Stadium won’t feel like a home game because it’s not our home and it’s not close to where we play.

“But on the flip side, it’s an excellent pitch and it’s something the players should look forward and relish playing on. I’m hoping local fans to Cardiff will come down and support us.

“There’s been a few people down here saying to me they’ll come and I’ve seen a lot on Twitter that people want to come. Obviously you've got a couple of clubs down here too, such as Cardiff Met and Barry Town United.

“Hopefully some of those club people and fans will come and watch. It’s only a fiver to get in so I hope they will come and see some Europa League football.

“FC Midtjylland are a recognised European team who play good football and for the locals, a cost of £5 is a no brainer and I hope they come to see something they’ve not seen before.”

Meanwhile, TNS could face a potential return to Scandinavia or a Hungarian re-match if they are to negotiate their way to the play-off round.

If they beat the highly-fancied Danes, their reward would be a trip to the losers of the Champions League third qualifying round tie between Sweden’s Malmo or Hungary’s Videoton, who narrowly beat Saints 2-1 in the Champions League on aggregate three years ago.