Dundee are concerned about their players and fans

The Foreign Office has already advised the Scottish Cup runners-up and their supporters not to travel to the trouble-torn home of Albanian outfit Vllaznia Shkoder.

Dundee, seeded for Friday's Uefa Cup qualifying round draw on their return to the competition after a 29-year absence, could have faced sides from Andorra, Estonia or Iceland.

But they got what they viewed as the nightmare tie against a club thrown into turmoil over the weekend.

Dundee director Jim Connor said: "It is too early to say what the situation is, but we will be consulting with Uefa and other bodies to see whether there will be problems.

There is no doubt that this will be an extremely difficult tie for us Dundee boss Jim Duffy

"The manager will do his homework about their team, while the directors will look at the technical difficulties we might face going to Albania."

Dundee could ask for a change in venue or even refuse to travel to Albania.

Vllaznia club president Myftar Cela was shot down by a former business partner while walking through the city of Tuz in Montenegro on Saturday evening before the gunman gave himself up 13 hours later.

The Albanian club are based in the northern region of the country, which remains unstable after the recent war in Kosovo.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We advise against all travel in the north-east border areas between Albania and Kosovo.

Uefa Cup draw

"In addition to other risks, many parts of the land route from central Albania to Kosovo are in very poor condition.

"There are risks from unexploded ordnance in border areas.

"The areas around Tirana, Durres and Saranda are relatively trouble-free, but you should avoid travelling at night.

"You should bear in mind the widespread ownership of firearms."

Duffy says the Albanian side will be tough opponents

But an Albanian Embassy spokesman said: "The city itself is not a problem. It is in the north-west of the country and is not a dangerous place."

A spokesperson for KS Vllaznia added: "Albania is a very beautiful country and so is the town. The people here are very warm and everyone is welcoming."

Jim Duffy's Dundee side are due to travel away for the first leg of the qualifying tie on 14 August before playing the Albanians at Dens Park on 24 August.

He expects the opposition to be just as troublesome on the field of play.

"There is no doubt that this will be an extremely difficult tie for us in terms of the strong opposition, the travel arrangements and the logistics as well," said Duffy.

"We already know that they are a very strong team with a number of Albanian internationals in their ranks."