TNS etch a new chapter in the club's illustrious history on Thursday night when they take on Italian giants Fiorentina.

The Oswestry club will line up at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, once home of Argentinian legend Gabriel Batistuta and Brazil star Dunga, in their opening UEFA Conference clash.

Head coach Craig Harrison said the match and qualification to a UEFA group stage was the culmination of 20 years hard work led by the club's managing director Mike Harris.

Harrison said: "Mike has been pushing for this for 20 years and we are delighted to be the first Welsh domestic club to make a European group stage.

"It is a great achievement for the players who deserve all the credit."

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Harrison was relieved his players ended a two match losing run with a 6-1 thrashing of Newtown last week.

"It was a classic TNS performance and a great response to a bad week after two defeats.

"It was important we got over the defeats and ensured we went into Thursday's match on the back of a win and good performance. The players have worked so hard and it was good to get back to winning ways ahead of a match at one of Europe's elite clubs."

The Saints will welcome back a host of players with Declan McManus and Ryan Brobbel back in action on Friday while Josh Pask, Ashley Baker and Jordan Marshall are also expected to return to training and join the squad for Thursday night.

"Declan and Ryan a top quality players and it was great to get them both back," said Harrison. "We have perhaps underplayed our injury list but hopefully we get a few more back ahead of Thursday."

The Saints host Astana at Shrewsbury Town's Croun Meadow on October 24th before travelling to Shamrock Rovers on November 7th and hosting Djurgårdens IF Fotboll on November 28th.

Panathinaikos visit Shropshire on December 12th before a trip to Celje on December 19th.