After relegation last season and a disappointing start to the new npower Championship campaign, there is a feeling the Europa League could hinder Hughton's promotion ambitions.

But the Carling Cup winners remain keen to make the most of a rare opportunity to face continental opposition and have slashed ticket prices to ensure a full house for the visit of Portuguese side Nacional.

Blues hit the woodwork three times in a goalless draw in Madeira in the first leg of the qualifying tie last week and will progress to the group stage with a victory.

Hughton said: "The fans are certainly looking forward to it, that will show in the numbers that turn up.

"That is testament to the support we have and the competition.

"It is an exciting competition and something the club haven't experienced for a while.

"The support will get behind us but we have got to give them something to cheer about. We have got to make sure we do the business.

"After a disappointment you have to get the team together and I think the nature of this match does that for us."

Blues have won just one of their opening three league games and lost 3-1 at Middlesbrough last weekend.

Hughton has also had to contend with a number of injuries but accepts the burden of playing games in midweek.

He said: "The squad has been quite thin because of the injuries we have had, but that is part and parcel of the game.

"At this stage of the season all the teams are playing midweek games, whether that be league or Carling Cup.

"This is something you have to adjust to."

QPR manager Neil Warnock criticised the Carling Cup after his Premier League newcomers were knocked out by League One Rochdale on Tuesday night.

Opinions remain divided on whether winning the competition was beneficial to Birmingham last season but Hughton, who has inherited the consequent European campaign from Alex McLeish, remains diplomatic.

He said: "Nobody goes into a game wanting to lose.

"You might change the team, play some younger or fringe players, but ultimately you want to win every game.

"We would be no different to anybody else."

Birmingham have learned that youngster Jordon Mutch will be out for three months with a broken foot while midfielder Morgaro Gomis and strikers Cameron Jerome, Marlon King and Nikola Zigic all remain out.

New loan signing Guirane N'Daw is ineligible while defender Scott Dann, who has been linked with a move before the upcoming transfer deadline, is also sidelined.

Hughton insists his absence does not spare him a difficult decision over whether to allow him to become cup-tied or not.

He said: "He has a slight injury and there aren't any outside reasons why I would leave him out.

"If I had thought it was right to have played him, I would have, but he has a slight injury."

Zigic and Liam Ridgewell have also been linked with other clubs but Hughton added: "We have had lots of interest and enquiries but we are no further down the line today than last week or the week before."

Hughton has admitted he would be interested in signing forward Nile Ranger from his old club Newcastle but has given no indication that a bid could be made.

He said: "It is just enquiries and finding out where he is at this particular moment, but at this stage of the season there are numerous players we could be making enquiries about."

Hughton's immediate focus is on Nacional and making progress in Europe.

"It is certainly going to be a tough game," he said. "Nacional showed enough in the first leg of why they are in the competition.

"They are a very offensive side who changed at half-time and went a little bit more offensive.

"I would expect a very difficult game. They are a good side on the counter-attack and have some good technical ability."