There will be plenty of Dutch courage at the Liberty Stadium tonight.

Michel Kuipers and Dorus De Vries will be rooting for the same team tomorrow, when Holland tackle England, but first the rival No. 1s will be diving around to knock the other out of the Carling Cup.

Swansea custodian De Vries is a familiar friend, and foe, to Albion’s long-serving goalkeeper.

Kuipers said: “He used to be in Den Haag and whenever we have played Swansea in recent years we talk about Holland and England and spend some time together after the game as well.

“It’s nice to play against somebody from back home. I know he saved a penalty on Saturday (at Leicester) and he is a good goalkeeper. I hope he does well this season but not so well tonight!”

Last season it was Kuipers’ heroics in the penalty shoot-out which earned Albion a memorable win in the second round of the Carling Cup against Manchester City at Withdean.

He is well prepared for a busy evening and the possibility of another sudden death finale if 90 minutes and extra-time does not divide the sides.

“Penalties are good for a goalkeeper to be involved in, because you can stamp your authority a little bit more on the outcome of the game,” Kuipers said.

“Last year was brilliant. It was nice to be involved in that. It created a really good vibe around the club and everyone was buzzing after it.

“If we can do something similar this season that would be really positive.

“Hopefully, though, we will produce a good performance to get past them in 90 minutes.

“I think we can take a lot of positives out of Saturday’s game against Walsall.

“We played some very good football in the second half and completely dominated. If we can take that into tonight’s game then it will good for us.

“I reckon there is going to be a lot of attacking. I don't think Swansea are going to sit back. I am sure they will come out of the starting blocks as fast as they can to put us on the back foot.”

Kuipers sees Swansea as a role model for Albion’s ambitions of Championship football in a new stadium at Falmer.

“They’ve got a very good set-up there,” he said. “It wasn't like that when we used to play them in the old days (at the Vetch Field).

“They are a great example of how a club can expand their footprint by getting a new stadium, better financial support and bigger crowds to attract better players. They have done really well and are a force to be reckoned with.”

Albion fans making the journey to South Wales are reminded there is no parking at or near the Liberty Stadium.