Motherwell’s players have been told to “go home and eat some barbed wire” as manager Alfred Johansson prepares for a demanding decider away to HB Torshavn on Thursday (18:00 BST).

The Fir Park side fly to the Faroe Islands carrying a 2-0 lead from a commanding Conference League second qualifying round first-leg victory last week.

Johansson’s team dominated the ball and the statistics but, against a team who have not lost at home in European competitions for five years, the Swede is preaching caution as he eyes a place in the third round.

“We’re going to try have a good performance,” said the Motherwell boss.

“You have to respect the team that we’re going to play and you’re going to have to respect the place where we’re going to play.

“In 10 years, I believe they’ve lost twice at home in European qualification.

“The last five years, they lost zero times at home, in European qualification, and that includes Brondby, which is a big club in Denmark. It includes Maccabi Haifa. It includes Helsinki. So these are pretty big, big clubs.

“And to think that you’re just going to go there and grab a victory real simple, then you fool yourself.

“So I told the guys today ‘go home and eat some barbed wire’ and prepare for the battle because it’s going to be a battle and you’re going to have to be strong and brave to play our way.

“But the intensity is going to have to be there. Otherwise, there’s no need to travel.”

Elliot Watt, Elijah Just and Calum Ward have all departed Fir Park this summer, triggering a huge influx in funds for the fan-owned club, while captain Paul McGinn and stalwart Stephen O’Donnell remain sidelined.

A glut of young academy players flooded the squad in the first leg and flourished when given the chance, but Well fans will be delighted last season’s Scottish Premiership top scorer, Tawanda Maswanhise, is set for a return.

The Zimbabwe forward has been out after sustaining a jaw injury in pre-season, but has done enough to be in the squad flying to the Faroes.

“Hopefully, it is looking quite good for JT at this point,” Johansson said of Maswanhise.

“He will not start the game and he will wear protection. It is massive to have him back in, what a player.

“Did you see last season? What a player and it is a massive boost for everyone.”