Fulham boss Martin Jol has admitted he's haunted by the prospect of one of his big name stars picking up a serious injury on Crusaders' new 4G surface.

Seaview was looking a pretty picture last night in the glorious sunshine as the Premier League players trained on the Shore Road side's artificial surface.

The Crues have invested thousands of pounds on putting down an artificial surface at the ground and three new stands have been erected to accommodate more than 2,000 fans on big occasions such as tonight's Europa League second qualifying round, first leg tie (7.30pm kick-off).

However, the new-look Seaview will be giving Jol nightmares if one of his men takes an awkward tumble at the north Belfast venue.

Ironically, when the Dutchman played for West Brom and Coventry City, he used to relish battles on similar surfaces but he takes a different view when sweating on the fitness of stars such as Bobby Zamora, Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy and Northern Ireland duo Aaron Hughes and Chris Baird.

"It's not a psychological thing for us," said former Spurs, Hamburg and Ajax supremo Jol.

"It's more a question of the ligaments and the knees and ankles. In a squad of 28, 29 players you will always have a few who are carrying injuries and don't like to play on it.

"We are not strong enough in numbers to say we will leave Damien Duff out, or Bobby Zamora. AFC Wimbledon beat us (in a recent friendly) so we know we cannot make many changes.

"I liked playing on artificial pitches like at Luton Town because you could keep the ball but we have seen players suffer knee and ankle injuries in the past and they don't prefer it.

"Of course I would like to play on grass. It's a bit different. In Holland you have two artificial pitches and most of the players don't like it.

"But it's like in the gym when you can play football and maybe in the future other teams will use them. If you have to play on it, you have to play on it - it's the same for them."

Perhaps Jol, who was appointed as Mark Hughes' replacement on a two-year deal, had just discovered that Crusaders' nickname is 'The Hatchetmen'.

It's not the most affectionate term and it fails to do justice to the creative and attractive attacking football served up by Stephen Baxter's men but Jol knows his players must rise to the challenge posed by spirited opponents.

"I spoke to Ray Lewington (Fulham coach) and he was talking about Crusaders playing 20 years ago and he said they certainly gave us a battle then," added Jol.

"But of course if our players are not up for it, Crusaders will surprise us. You can't take anything for granted. It's up to the individual players and how they motivate themselves. My players are good professionals and they are always up for it."

Northern Ireland skipper Aaron Hughes is back in his homeland and he understands that tonight's game is a big stage for the Crues players - including Stuart Dallas, who has sprung off the Cookstown production line, just like the Fulham defender.

"I've played at Seaview once before aged 13 or 14 - it may have been with a schoolboy team," said Hughes.

"It's good that it's a competitive game and I've been the underdog in Belfast before, knowing our mindset and what we had to do. Now Crusaders will have a gameplan.

"But there is good talent here, recognised by the international manager (Nigel Worthington) and this is a high profile game giving them the chance to win a few more admirers.

"It's not often an opportunity comes along for those individuals or the team as a whole to make a big impression."

Meanwhile, fellow international Chris Baird knows the Crues will put up a brave fight tonight.

He said: "It will be nice to go home to play - but it will be tougher. There will be a lot of local pride there, so we're going to need to make sure we concentrate at all times."

The 2010 beaten Europa League finalists have arrived in Belfast without Jonathan Greening who has been given permission to talk to Nottingham Forest, while Simon Davies is injured and Dempsey may not be risked as he's an injury concern.