Ex-Newcastle United striker gives ‘best’ Champions League insider knowledge supporters will love

Any Newcastle United supporters feeling nervous about the Magpies' big return to the Champions League next week have been re-assured by a former Magpies star.

Eddie Howe will lead his team to the San Siro to take on AC Milan next Tuesday in a monumental night for the club. The long-awaited return to European football is eagerly anticipated on Tyneside but does come at a time when pressure is beginning to mount on Howe and the team.

After a thrilling start to the Premier League last month with a 5-1 win over Aston Villa at St James' Park, Newcastle United are winless in three with disappointing performances against Liverpool and Brighton frustrating fans.

A brief down spell after a season of success could come at just the wrong time with the Champions League Group Stage starting in just over a week - although the Magpies have the international break and a top-flight meeting with Brentford to turn the tide.

Former Newcastle United striker Louis Saha has told fans that a brief early season blip isn't cause for major concern as the Champions League edged even closer.

Saha told Paddy Power: “The setbacks are not a concern for Newcastle United after their defeats to Manchester City and Brighton, that’s the Premier League.

"The Champions League is the kind of step up that Newcastle are looking forward to, in the Premier League there is no easy game regardless of the size of the clubs and you have to have respect for all teams. Newcastle will learn from their mistakes, and it will help them over the season to become better and improve on results. There have only been four games in the season so there is nothing to get dramatic about."

Saha, who made a very brief 12 appearances for the Magpies in 1999, added that the Champions League could be the best opportunity for Eddie Howe's men to jumpstart their Premier League form too.

He said: “The Champions League is coming up soon and I’m sure a lot of energy and focus will be on this as a club after being out of the competition for so long.

"Even if they have to take it game by game in the Champions League, it will be a very interesting way to evaluate where they are as a team and as a squad. They will respond positively, sometimes you have bad games, but this is exactly the best foundation for them to bounce back.”