STEVEN HAMMELL knows little about the Russian side that stands between Motherwell and the Europa League play-offs.

But he is aware he only has to look as far as Celtic's Champions League tussle with Spartak Moscow last season to see the daunting task facing them.

The Lanarkshire club will go into Thursday's first leg at Fir Park with Kuban Krasnodar with only video edits to offer any hint on their opposition.

Manager Stuart McCall had his team in the classroom on Saturday as he took them through hours of footage of the Russians, who finished joint fourth/fifth last term with Spartak.

And while the SPL champions managed to edge both group stage games against the Red Whites, Hammell reckons those encounters will offer a reliable indication of how difficult it will be to gaurantee their safe passage to the next round.

"We don't know a lot about them but we were in first thing on Saturday preparing," said the Motherwell left-back, who faces going up against players such as former Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse and ex-Atletico Madrid striker Ibrahima Balde.

"The gaffer told us he had three hours of edits on them so it was a long day. We go in and he puts up the video on the screen and takes notes. He tells you their strengths and weaknesses and how he thinks they are going to play.

"They have big resources behind them and if they are finishing on the same points as Spartak Moscow, who are a top European side, you know you are going to be in for a tough game.

"We've tried to work on a few things in the friendly games but between now and then we will be 100% focused and ready for it."

Motherwell received a boost prior to their 1-1 draw with Notingham Forest on Friday night with the news Kuban Krasnodar had allowed Aras Ozbiliz to join Spartak.

The 23-year-old Armenian had been highlighted by McCall as the one to watch on Thursday, but Hammell is refusing to take the Russians lightly even without their star man.

"It will be a tough game," he insisted. "Even though we don't know much about them, they are not a really well known side over here, but they are a top, top team.

"But we will be fully committted and prepared for whatever they throw at us because we really want to progress in the competition. It's similar to any Premier League game. We really want to do well in this one."

While the immediate focus for all at Fir Park is understandably fixed on Europa League qualification, Hammell has further cause for excitement ahead of the new season.

The 31-year-old was called up for Scotland's trip to Zagreb last month, with the full-back enjoying his time with Gordon Strachan's squad.

And the former Southend defender has repeated the feat by being selected to be part of the group of players to face England at Wembley next month.

It is a dream come true for the man who endured a nine-year gap between his first and second call-up. And he is determined to make the most of his third.

"I was delighted to get the message that I was called into the squad again," said Hammell. "I thought after I came back from the last squad that I had done well when I was away but I knew I was there because of a few injuries to other players. So to actually get in to the squad for such a prestigous game against England at Wembley is unbelievable. I can't wait to experience it."

Boss McCall is confident defensive duo Shaun Hutchinson and Stephen McManus will both be fit to face the Russians after they hobbled off on Friday.

Iain Vigurs is also expected to play after coming off against Forest.