‘Trust me, nobody wanted Newcastle’ – Alan Pardew says Champions League rivals won’t know what hit them

Newcastle United will play in the Champions League this week for the first time in more than 20 years.

It's been a long and bumpy road to get to this point for the Magpies, but the excitement levels on Tyneside are through the roof as they prepare to face AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

And as the first game against Milan at the San Siro approaches, the last manager to take Newcastle on a European journey, Alan Pardew, has been reflecting on the Toon's upcoming Champions League campaign.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, he said: «They were never going to get an easy group because they were in pot four.

»These games are going to be very high profile against teams that are a lot more established and have a lot more experience than Newcastle.

«But Newcastle were the one team in pot four that nobody wanted, trust me.

»The power of the new ownership, Eddie Howe's leadership and a great team is a powerful combination.

«I think the fans will carry them, particularly the home games.

»They need to get one draw away because, at home, those other teams are going to find it an experience."

Pardew spent just over four years on Tyneside and saw the best of St James' Park on those few European nights.

And he shares the exhilaration of Newcastle supporters up and down the country as the Magpies rejoin Europe's elite.

«I am so excited for them, and I think they will qualify [for the knockout stage].

»They've had a few defeats, but I don't think it reflects on the quality of the team."

The ex-West Ham boss led the Magpies to fifth during the 2011/12 season, which saw the Toon qualify for the Europa League.

Newcastle made it to the quarter-finals only to be knocked out by Benfica after a brave display, while in the league,