Rubin Kazan's veteran goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov returns for the second leg of the Russian club’s Europa League last-32 clash with Greek side Olympiakos on Thursday.
Rubin were beaten 1-0 in the first leg on David Fuster's second-half strike in a match that saw the hosts' Bebras Natcho have a penalty saved by Olympiakos substitute goalkeeper Roy Carroll.
Nemov said that Ryzhikov's return after suspension would lift the team immeasurably.
“With all due respect to [reserve goalkeepers] Giedrius Arlauskis and Alireza Haghighi, our first-choice keeper is Ryzhikov. His presence on the pitch inspires the other players too,” Nemov said on the UEFA website.
Nemov said that Olympiakos had proven themselves worthy opponents in the first leg, especially in midfield, but that they were still vulnerable.
“We showed that we can beat that team. I think we still have a reasonable chance of reaching the next round of this tournament.”
Meanwhile, the Greek champions remain wary of Rubin.
“The first game’s result definitely gives us an advantage but it does not secure the qualification," midfielder Jean Makoun said.
"We must be cautious and I believe that an early goal would make things easier,” he said on the Olympiakos website.
Rubin will be without defender Alexander Orekhov and midfielder Alexey Eremenko, as well as Brazilian midfielder Carlos Eduardo.
Carroll is likely to make his first start in goal for Olympiakos, with Megyeri suspended, while several players could return from injury.
Swedish defender Olof Mellberg has returned to light training after missing the first leg with concussion, while defender Francois Modesto is in full training after a case of flu and midfielder Kevin Mirallas could also play.
Serbian striker Marko Pantelic broke an ankle on Friday and will miss the rest of the season, while defender Giannis Maniatis missed training on Monday with a fever and is considered a doubt for the match.Eduardo.
The winners will almost certainly face Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv, who beat Red Bull Salzburg 4-0 in the first leg.
