Mirroring the temperatures the team can expect in southern Germany, it was a cold and damp morning at our Surrey training base as the players were put through their paces.

The Conference League has offered Maresca the chance to make full use of the highly-talented squad at his disposal.

The head coach will have plenty of thinking to do when it comes to his team selection on Thursday. European regulars Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix both started at the King Power Stadium as we defeated Leicester City at the weekend and will hope to be involved again.

Unsurprisingly given our form at home and in continental competition, the Blues squad were in high spirits as they prepare for another fresh European opponent.

That positive sentiment extended to our goalkeeping unit, with smiles and saves aplenty between the two stoppers to have featured for us so far this term, Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.

Whoever starts between the posts tomorrow will know a clean sheet will go a long towards three more Conference League points considering our efficiency in front of goal in that competition thus far. We have already netted 16 goals in just a trio of games. Marc Guiu got up and running in the big win over Noah last time out.

Standing in our way are German opposition enjoying their maiden European adventure, and just their second campaign in the Bundesliga.

Despite being 15th in the Bundesliga, Heidenheim have been perfect in the UEFA Conference League, winning five out of five games including both play-off fixtures against Hacken of Sweden. In the league phase, they have defeated Pafos, Hearts and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Maresca will most certainly be taking nothing for granted.