Ahead of the April 16 clash between Manchester City and Hamburg, Mark Hughes has called for  "a supreme effort on and off the pitch as the Blues will aim to overcome a two-goal deficit against Hamburg". Hughes is hoping that his men will go out super motivated, while the Eastlands will generate a hostile wall of noise.

Hughes told the Wednesday afternoon pre-match press conference, quoted by the club's website that: "We're all working hard and trying to make this club successful, and on Thursday the crowd are going to be our 12th man. For us to beat Hamburg, we are going to need everyone pushing in the same direction.

"We'll have to be at our best to match them, and we have great respect for their ability, but they are a side that concede goals on their travels. We are a team that can score goals at home ... and I think there is a real opportunity for us on Thursday night."

Bulgarians Martin Petrov and Valeri Bojinov are fit to play. Brazilian Robinho is likely to play for Man City as well, as Hughes has indicated that he will have him in the squad for the encounter against the Germans.

Robinho was on the sidelines for City against Fulham on Sunday, when City were defeated at home. Welshman Craig Bellamy is injured and will not be fit to participate, however, so Robinho is likely to be in the starting eleven.

Nursing less serious injuries are Shaun Wright-Phillips (ankle), Vincent Kompany and Wayne Bridge (hamstrings) who are likely to be all fit for tonight's showdown.

The Citizens must overcome the two goal deficit if they are to stand a chance of survival, and Wright-Phillips is positive that his team is up to the task, but only if they are 'ruthless' in front of goal and don't squander their opportunities.

 "All I'll say is that it's not over until the fat lady sings," he said, quoted by the BBC.

"It's not finished until the whole tie is done. We are recognised as being very good at home, and if we play the way we usually do, we will make enough chances to win 2-0.
           
German Hamburg meanwhile, are only three shy points off the Bundesliga summit and are facing a German Cup semi-final next week. This has turned out to be a massive season for the club because the team is fighting on three fronts and are arguably one foot in the last four of the UEFA Cup already.

However, the first-minute goal scored by City's Stephen Ireland in last week's quarter-final first leg makes the two-goal cushion they eventually secured less than comfortable.

Hamburger SV coach Martin Jol told uefa.com: "We have a two-goal advantage but three would be better," said Jol, who had a good record against City as Tottenham manager. "My experience of playing English teams is that it is good [for Hamburg] to score tomorrow. If City score early, that changes the whole dynamic, however."