SAINTS have been warned to watch out for two Nigerians tonight in Israel.

According to local journalist Dani Porat, midfielder John Ugo and striker Toni Nawakeme were the “best two foreigners in the Israeli League last season.”

In their shock 2-0 win at Inter Milan earlier this month, boss Barak Bachar fielded six foreigners.

It was the first time he had done this, as Israeli League rules state you can only play five foreigners in domestic league fixtures.

Defender Migel Vitor, who opened the scoring at the San Siro, is another foreign signing – the Portuguese arrived in the summer just gone from Greek club PAOK.

Bachar doesn’t just rely on foreign talent, however.

Greatest midfielders Maor Buzaglo, a free-kick specialist, and Maor Melikson who, says Porat, “are known as two of the greatest midfielders in Israel”, though the latter is injury prone.

Captain Elyaniv Barda, who has won almost 40 caps for Israel, is another major name.

He returned to his native country in 2013 to sign for Hapoel after six successful seasons in Belgium with Genk.

Bachar, only 37, is known for his flexibility.

He can play with three centre halves, as he did in the Champions League qualifier against Glasgow Celtic and the Europa League triumph in the San Siro.

Alternatively, he can play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

Porat explained: “Bachar is a ball possession coach.

“He likes to play forward. Be’er Sheva under him is a very aggressive and physical team.

“That is the reason they made great results in Europe this campaign. They beat Olympiacos and Inter, and almost qualified for the Champions League.

“They are a very versatile team that does not rely on one player.

“Barda was very dominant last year, but injured this year and hasn’t played much.

“Melikson is very fragile and injured a lot and in the last couple of games Buzaglo has been the leader in the field.

“They have many players who can score goals and not [just] one leader.”

l Don’t miss our big match blog at dailyecho.co.uk tonight.