Former Enugu Rangers point-man Chikeluba Ofoedu is hopeful he will make the starting line - up in Tuesday's big clash in the cup between 1461 Trabzon and Turkey powerhouse Galatasaray.

For precautionary reasons, Ofoedu was left on the bench by coach Mustafa Akcay in last weekend's 2 - 1 win over Samsunspor. And he came off the bench to score a brace, which secured three points for 1461 Trabzon.

''I am a regular player for 1461 Trabzon but that day(Saturday, ed) I was on the bench.The last match we played, an away match, I was substituted at half time because I felt pains in my two legs. I think that is why I did not start the game against Samsunspor .Maybe I will start against Gala but I am not the coach. It is he who decides,'' Ofoedu told allnigeriasoccer.com in a telephone conversation.

Ofoedu confessed that the cup tie away to Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday is a difficult game.

He said: ''Galatasaray are a big team but it is a game, so we have to play and maybe get something out of it. But it is going to be hard for us.''

Ofoedu has made three appearances in the cup, scoring once against Belediye Vanspor in October.