A controversial decision by Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to make wholesale changes ahead of tonight's opening Europa League group game against CSKA Sofia here has been defended by Simon Davies.

The inclusion of the Wales international in Hodgson's starting line-up to face the Bulgarian League leaders is set to be one of nine changes to the side that beat Everton 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Only goalkeeper David Stockdale, who made his first-team debut against Everton in place of the injured Mark Schwarzer, and right-back John Pantsil are likely to keep their places.

The heart of Fulham's defence will feature the untried pairing of Chris Baird and Chris Smalling, who starts with the first team for the first time. This against Sofia's rampant 'Army Men', who have scored 14 goals without reply on their way to winning four times and drawing once in their five domestic games this season.

Hodgson insisted his selection was not another slight on the Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup, following the weak-team debacles that saw Tottenham and Aston Villa make ignominious exits from the competition last year.

He claimed his hand was forced by injuries to Schwarzer, Paul Konchesky, Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey. Skipper Danny Murphy had also gone down with a cold, although Hodgson admitted he expected they should all be back in contention for Sunday's League clash at Wolves.

Hodgson also pointed out that 10 of tonight's side boasted international experience, with only Englishman Stockdale not having played for his national side at Under-21 or full cap level.

From the moment Fulham qualified for Europe after finishing a club-record high of seventh in the League, Hodgson has stressed his primary target would be to retain their top-flight status.

As for Europe, he said: "We're very happy to be in this competition, we're looking forward to it and think it's a great adventure. But it's an adventure for the squad, not just 11 players."

Davies, starting for the first time since breaking a foot towards the end of last season, endorsed that assertion. He said: "Competition for places always brings success and everyone at the club wants that.

"This was going to be a big test, whoever came out for us. Away European fixtures are always tough, I've known that through international games. But the lads here are going to get valuable experience from it and I'm sure the manager wouldn't have brought us if he didn't think we were capable of winning the game."

Davies insists that Fulham will not be fielding a team of strangers. He said: "The way we train, we do team shape for the majority of our sessions. The manager mixes and matches players into positions, so we get a lot of practice together.

"We train with each other every day, so we're very aware of our strengths and weaknesses. We'll be well prepared and as always we'll be well organized, so I'm sure we'll be able to get something from the game."

The group stage of the Europa League sees UEFA experimenting with the placing of an extra official behind each goal with a brief to watch for penalty area incidents and to confirm if the ball crosses the goal line.

Davies welcomed the experiment. He said: "We know how important every game is these days, whether it's European or in the Premier League. Decisions can win or lose games and they really need to be bang on every time. So I'm all for it, it can only help."

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