At this time of year, it is always nice to lend a helping hand, and that's exactly what we have done for Spartak Moscow over the last week.

The Russians face Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Thursday evening in the Uefa Cup, almost a month after their final league action of the Russian season, which runs from March through to December.

As a result, Danish legend Michael Laudrup's side were in need of match practice as well as a training camp, and we were able to help, allowing our visitors to use the facilities at our Cobham home.

Laudrup, who won 104 caps for his country, and is the older brother of former Chelsea man Brian, has visited our Surrey training ground before. Now it is finished, he is astounded at the results.

'What can I say? It is marvellous, I think it is fantastic,' he said, from inside the club's new Academy building. 'I was here with Brondby three or four years ago and it is fantastic now it is finished, I am very impressed.

'We are out of season and I was told when we prepared all this that the winter in Russia from December onwards would be very cold. It hasn't been like that, when we left last week it was five or six degrees, but that is not normal - that would be about ten below.

'In Russia, the facilities we have are not bad at all, we have two very good pitches and one artificial. Every player has his own room and that is not bad at all, but it is nothing like this one.'

Spartak go into Thursday's clash needing a win at White Hart Lane, though they could still progress into the knockout stages should they lose and other results go their way. Laudrup has recent success in N17, while a manager with Getafe in Spain.

'I remember last year we came with Getafe and it was a special moment, we won 2-1 and it was a fantastic game. We would be very proud if we could repeat that this time,' he smiled.

Preparations for such a feat have gone well, and include a win over our reserve side at Cobham on Saturday. The scoreline was a 2-0 win for the more experienced Russian team, and Laudrup was pleased with the test.

'It was a very good game, and very good preparation for us, apart from the weather and the difficult pitch but nobody can do anything about that,' he said.

'It was very good training and nice for the guys, and because we have many young players, 10 or 11 who are under 21, so it was good to see guys at the same age and how they play.'

Chelseafc.com wouldn't have been doing its job without checking up on the wellbeing of the younger Laudrup brother, a Chelsea signing in the summer of 1998.

Injuries and personal problems limited Brian's impact in his short spell at Stamford Bridge, and he eventually retired in 2000. His older brother reports he is now doing well in retirement.

'It was sad at Chelsea because he was a fantastic player but he was only here for half a season, but Brian is good, he is well. He is working for the television on the Champions League and national team games alongside Peter Schmeichel and Preben Elkjaer, and those three guys have a great time.'

Finally, there is the question of Michael's own future, and whether he would ever be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

'You never know, I don't make plans for the future. I know from experience it is very difficult to plan in this world and I have been in Spain, I liked it there. I think the Spanish league and the Premier League are the best two in the world and I would like to come here one day,' he said.

For now though, the Dane's focus is on Thursday and three Uefa Cup points against Tottenham. The past week with Chelsea has done his chances no harm.