CURTIS Davies feels tonight’s Europa League tie is a game there for the taking.

Blues do not have the boost of an away goal going into the play-off second-leg tie at St Andrew’s. But their overall performance against CD Nacional during the 0-0 draw in Madeira suggests there is no need to be wracked with fear or self-doubt on the club’s biggest European night in half-a-century.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a concern we didn’t score over there,” said Davies.

“To hit the woodwork three times in any game is hard to take, but we have to go out and as a defence keep a clean sheet and hopefully the rest will take care of itself. If we keep a clean sheet we’ll take it to penalties at the worst. Hopefully, the lads at the other end can do their job.”

Davies said the competition had captured the imagination of fans – and Blues’ players. “Not being in European competition for 50 years, it’s massive,” he acknowledged.

“The fans have gone out and bought the tickets and I’m sure it’s close to a sell-out, so that’s a massive boost for us and it shows just how much this competition means to them.

“Everyone’s been saying it could be a distraction and do you really want to qualify? Of course, you want to win every football game you play in.

“We want to progress, for ourselves and for this team, first and foremost, and then hopefully the fans can enjoy a few away days. The fact they’ll be out in their numbers is a massive credit to them and hopefully we can put on a show.”

Manager Chris Hughton warned that the Portuguese side should not be taken lightly.

“We learned enough in that first leg what a threat they can be,” he said. “And having seen them play before we played them, and the game against us last week, what they are capable of doing is changing their system.

“They changed it during the first leg. They are capable of playing a diamond in midfield or going into a 4-3-3. I think in the philosophy of their play, it won’t be much different to last week. They are an offensive side. Whether they play a little bit more on the counter-attack, that we don’t know. But I do see them as an offensive team.”

Blues are still without Morgaro Gomis (calf), who was rated ‘‘touch and go’’ by Hughton for Sunday’s Championship game at Watford.

Blues will do a late check on Liam Ridgewell, who needed stitches in a gashed shin in Madeira.

Scott Dann (ankle) will be missing again and Hughton denied it was a case of not wanting him European cup-tied.

“I pick the team very much on merit. There are no outside reasons why I would leave him out.”

Nacional are without Joao Aurelio due to suspension. Brazilian Claudemir is expected to return at right-back in his place.

Zarko Tomasevic, the 6ft 3in Montenegro international centre-half, is also available for Nacional again after missing the first leg.

Who will be the key player for Blues tonight?