New West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic will not lead the side on their return to Europe this evening after nine years away.

The Hammers hosts Andorran minnows FC Lusitans with an experimental line-up in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League at Upton Park.

It is is a sell-out and head of coaching and player development, Terry Westley, will be the man in the dugout for the occasion.

The UEFA Europa League first qualifying round match will be the Hammers’ first in Europe since 2006, and the occasion – along with very reasonable ticket prices - has pulled in the crowds, with the game now sold out.

During a week-long training camp in Ireland, Westley took training as the squad for Thursday’s tie began their match preparation.

That group of players then returned to London on Monday, whilst Bilic remains in Cork with those who won't be involved tonight.

But although Westley will be in the dugout on Thursday, Bilic will be flying back to watch the team begin their European campaign first hand.

Speaking to the Hammers website, Westley explained: “First of all I’d like to welcome the new manager and his staff to the club.

"When there was a change in management at the end of last season and we knew that we had qualified for Europe, we couldn’t just sit back and not do anything. We had to put plans in place.

“With the other senior staff, we’ve done that looking towards the European fixture so early, and great credit to those staff. It will be a privilege and an honour to play a role on Thursday and when you think the game will be a sell-out it shows it has caught the imagination of everyone."

He continued: “I see my role as helping Slaven integrate with the group and the team, making that transition as smooth as possible and he will come back for the game on Thursday. He’s the manager.

“He’s very interested in seeing some of the younger players and he’s also got some senior players in this team, who will be part of his squad that he’ll want to keep a close eye on. He will be with the team and in the dressing room and a big part of what we’re trying to do on Thursday.

“We’re doing all we can to support him and our job is to get over the first qualifying round. With the manager integrating his staff and senior players who are in Ireland, that’s a win-win. We need to make the integration as seamless as possible.”

Westley revealed his starting XI for the clash at a press conference on Wednesday and new signing Darren Randolph is one of the more senior names in a side which features a handful of academy products.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Upton Park.