The Bulgarian winger’s season has been interrupted by a knee injury picked while on international duty in early October, but he is with the squad as the final preparations for tonight’s quarter final against Hamburg are made.
Given the 30-year-old’s lengthy absence, it is easy to forget that he has played and scored in this season’s European odyssey. The former Atletico Madrid man kicked off the Mark Hughes era with the opening goal of the tie against EB/Streymur way back in mid-July, and the Manager is eager to see him in action again.
“Martin is an outstanding player,” Hughes asserts. “He gives you great quality, not just with his knowledge of the game but his ability to deliver great balls into good areas.
“We have missed him this year. If we had the option of Martin before, I am sure he would have had a positive impact on games.
“To see him play against Newcastle for the reserves was a great thing for everyone. He had 45 minutes of good play. “He looked sharp and he looked ready. He is very much in our thoughts for the Hamburg game.”
