Intertoto Norway link for Wanderers

3:59pm Tuesday 11th April 2006

WANDERERS could face a summer trip to Norway, if they have to settle for the Intertoto route to the UEFA Cup.

The team representating the Premier League will enter the revamped competition at the third round stage effectively one of 11 "finals".

And their likely opponents will be Lillestrom, provided the Norwegian side come through a second round clash with either IBK Keflavik of Iceland, or a yet-to-be-determined Northern Ireland side. Unless Middlesbrough win the UEFA Cup and reach the FA Cup final, England's Intertoto place will be taken by the highest Premiership finisher outside the top six who are among the seven teams to notify the FA of their intention to take part.

Currently, that club is Wanderers, although Blackburn and Everton cannot be discounted, and neither too could Newcastle, although the Magpies have not publicly stated whether they are interested in taking part in the tournament for a second successive season.

Although the draw does raise the possibility of an all-British clash, should the Northern Ireland side who finish fourth in their domestic league currently Dungannon make their way through two rounds, Lillestrom are far more likely opponents in a two-legged tie on July 15 and 22, when the winners will move into the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.