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Trabzonspor head coach Thomas Reis said he is satisfied with the players at his disposal and expects the points from tomorrow's home match against Scottish side Hearts to go to his team. The game at Papara Park is part of the second week of the UEFA Conference League.

Speaking at a news conference alongside forward Wagner Pina, Reis warned that Hearts' heavy league defeat to Celtic could make the visitors dangerous, while giving updates on injured players and the club's transfer constraints.

Heavy defeat makes Hearts dangerous, Reis says

Reis described Hearts' 7-1 league loss to Celtic as a risky factor for his own side, arguing that teams respond strongly after such results. "Teams will try to show a good reaction after big defeats. They will try to prove it was a mistake," the German coach said, adding that he had suffered a similar seven-goal defeat in his own career and knew how hard it was to absorb.

The Trabzonspor coach likened Hearts in general terms to Beşiktaş, describing the Scottish side as a strong team that uses rotation from the flanks and tries to hold its shape well.

Eskihellaç unlikely, Onuachu a doubt

Reis said Mustafa Eskihellaç is likely to be back too soon for tomorrow's match. "I think it will be a bit early for Mustafa Eskihellaç to play, so returning to the pitch tomorrow may be slightly early," he said.

Onuachu's availability is also uncertain. Reis said the striker could be a bit early for the Çaykur Rizespor match, and if the player cannot feature in that game, the club expects Onuachu to return afterwards.

Squad unchanged until the January window

Reis explained that the player lists registered for UEFA competitions and for the Süper Lig differ because of the foreign player quota. Changes can only be made in January, for both the league and the European campaign, he said. One adjustment had already been made because of a long-term injury.

The club must now work with the current group until the end of the European league phase and until the transfer window opens in January. "Our squad is like this, but I can also say that I am happy with our squad and there is no problem in that regard," Reis said.

Targets pursued match by match

On the club's goals in the Süper Lig and in Europe, Reis said Trabzonspor always aim to win wherever they play and to reach the highest possible level of success, but that the team has to move step by step and match by match. Promising titles now, he said, would be the wrong thing to do. Outcomes depend on the coach, the team and the players' performances, he added, as well as on a measure of luck with injuries and fitness.

Reis also pointed to a demanding run of fixtures, with matches every three days. Even victories bring little time to celebrate before the next game arrives, he said, and the team has to perform at its best again tomorrow.

Pina focused on a fresh start

Wagner Pina said the run of consecutive wins feeds the team's motivation. "Our game is built on winning, we play every match to win. We want to keep going and show ourselves at our best," Pina said, describing tomorrow's fixture as a new beginning.

Asked about playing alongside Muhammed Salah, Pina said it is good to share the pitch with him anywhere and even better to play just behind him. Watching how opponents deal with Salah and how Salah responds teaches a lot, Pina said, describing the player as an important professional both on and off the pitch who shows the squad how to be confident and do what they know to the best of their ability. Pina added that expectations for the match are high and that the team must train well today and perform well on the pitch tomorrow to meet them.

Key takeaways

• Trabzonspor host Hearts tomorrow in the second week of the UEFA Conference League at Papara Park.
• Thomas Reis said Hearts' 7-1 league defeat to Celtic could make the Scottish side more dangerous.
• Mustafa Eskihellaç is unlikely to play, while Onuachu may not be ready for the Çaykur Rizespor match.
• Reis said he is happy with his squad, which cannot be changed until the January transfer window.