There is a bonus European fixture for supporters to enjoy on Tuesday evening, with a few familiar faces on show.

Fenerbahce play host to Lokomotiv Moscow at 5pm, playing their Europa League last-32 first leg two days early because of Galatasaray’s clash with Lazio on Thursday.

It is another chance for Premier League fans to check on those to have departed these shores over the last couple of years, with a four former stars plying their trade in Istanbul.

Robin van Persie has found a role as an impact substitute since moving to Fenerbahce

The Dutchman has scored four goals in his last five matches with two of those being from the bench

POSSIBLE LINE-UP (4-3-3) Volkan Demirel Bruno Alves Caner Erkin Michal Kadlec Sener Ozbayrakli Ozan Tufan Mehmet Topal Souza Lazar Markovic Fernandao Nani Subs: Robin van Persie, Diego, Volkan sen, Gokhan Gonul, Hasan Ali Kaldirim, Alper Potuk, Fabiano Advertisement

Lazar Markovic, Robin van Persie, Raul Meireles and Nani are all at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, forming part of the Turkish Super League’s leading light. Meireles, though, has not featured since October because of a knee injury which relapsed last week.

Regardless, Fenerbahce are way out in front of struggling city rivals Galatasaray and face a straight fight with Besiktas for this year’s title.

Vitor Pereira has seen his side lose just once since September and there is an expectation that they make waves in Europe’s secondary competition given the money injected into the club since he took over.

The capture of Van Persie in particular was seen as the sort of purchase to restore former glories. Here was a striker who had been there, done it, scored goals everywhere.

But such was Fenerbahce’s might, the Dutchman found life tough. He found himself on the bench for big games, left in Brazilian Fernandao’s shadow, and suggestions emanated that his stay could be short.

Lazar Markovic (centre) struggled under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool but has impressed on loan in Turkey

Nani turned down a big-money move to China and has established himself as a fans' favourite

Van Persie cut a frustrated figure, one short clip of a disgustingly lax training exercise in which he barely moved drawing ridicule and then easy comparisons with the flourishing Nani.

He had scored only one goal in his first five matches after the summer switch from Manchester United and questions arose as to whether he was actually worth the effort.

Time on the bench did not go down well, Van Persie enduring a fractious relationship with Pereira.

Now though, as Fenerbahce reach their run-in, the 32-year-old has rediscovered some sort of form. Not that of three years ago under Sir Alex Ferguson, but somewhere resembling what is expected. He is beginning to understand his new role, utilised as an impact substitute.

Four goals in his last five matches, two of those off the bench as Pereira looks to use him sparingly, knowing Van Persie will be key in the months to come. He no longer has the capacity to chase down lost causes and Fenerbahce are rightly trying to manage him.

Nani, meanwhile, has been consistent throughout, a real favourite - even more so when he turned down the riches of China this month.

Huge money was on the table but the Portugal international has eyes on Euro 2016 and wants to ‘reach my goals in football’ in Europe.

His signing last summer was met with similar fanfare to that of Van Persie, and how Manchester United could have done with the winger on occasion this year. He still retains that purposeful drive and, while his final delivery can be erratic, excites crowds - in turn lifting those around.

Nani is a luminary of a league which, with the influx of fresh finance, will only become more competitive, as Galatasaray themselves have found to a degree this season.

It is his tricks, flicks and assists supporters want - flashes of brilliance worth the admission price. Yet they have also warmed to Markovic, on loan from Liverpool and who Fenerbahce wanted to tie down permanently last month,

Jurgen Klopp is keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old midfielder, has been impressed with what those are watching him say, and will in all probability welcome him back this summer.

Markovic has been able to run freer for Fenerbahce than Brendan Rodgers allowed last season, injecting pace into their game and chipping in going forward.

They should breeze beyond Lokomotiv over the next week and are likely to trouble the latter stages of this competition.

Nani's flicks and tricks have won over the Fenerbahce supporters after he had struggled at Old Trafford