Aberdeen are facing their biggest European game for more than 20 years but will be without five players against Bayern Munich on Thursday.Richie Byrne, Richard Foster, Jackie McNamara, Derek Young and Jamie Smith will all miss Thursday's UEFA Cup last-32 clash.

And Jimmy Calderwood's team could be decimated further for the first leg if Barry Nicholson, Zander Diamond and Darren Mackie do not overcome knocks.

Diamond aggravated an ankle problem in Sunday's 5-1 defeat by Celtic while Nicholson sustained a knee injury and Mackie suffered a recurrence of the hamstring strain that has blighted his season.

"We have got big doubts about Nicholson, Diamond and Mackie," Calderwood said.

"But, knowing the character of those three, hopefully they will play."

Byrne, Foster and Smith all miss out with hamstring injuries while Young and McNamara picked up knocks against the Hoops.

The loss of the experience of McNamara and Smith is a particularly harsh blow as McNamara played in the UEFA Cup final for Celtic in 2003, and Smith grabbed a double in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen last month.

Calderwood told RedTV: "It's obviously five big players but that means we have still got 21 fit - which has not been the case much of the time.

"Although they are all big names, it has eased a little bit.

"But that's football, we have just got to get on with it, we have a wonderful game to look forward to."

Teenagers such as Chris Maguire and on-loan pair Josh Walker and Sone Aluko are now in line to play against the tournament favourites.

And Calderwood has urged them to seize their opportunity.

The 52-year-old said: "I remember a long, long time ago making my debut for Birmingham and I think my third match was against the great Leeds team, Billy Bremner, Johnny Giles, all them boys.

"My fifth game was at Anfield against Liverpool. It was fabulous, you have no fear, you just go and enjoy it - you have nothing whatsoever to lose.

"It stands you in good stead for the rest of your career.

"If these lads are involved I'm sure they will make the most of it."

Aberdeen's young players will face some of the biggest names in world football, including Germany striker Miroslav Klose and Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni, who scored three goals against Scotland in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

"I think the two lads up front, Klose and Luca Toni, are the big dangers," Calderwood said.

"Mark van Bommel as well, I know him very well from Holland and he will pull the strings in midfield.

"They have got talent all over the park but they are the big, big dangers."

More Football News from TEAMtalk