What Newcastle need to qualify for Champions League last 16 as Magpies close out group of death against AC Milan

Newcastle know their Champions League last-16 hopes are out of their hands ahead of their game against AC Milan.

The Magpies are up against it to qualify from the competition’s group-of-death and have work to do to reach the knockouts.

Newcastle are third in Group F on five points, above Milan on goal difference, but trailing Paris Saint-Germain by two in second.

Eddie Howe’s side were denied a famous win at PSG in injury-time last time out but still boast a superior head-to-head against the Ligue 1 champions.

Newcastle need to beat AC Milan at St James' Park and hope results in the other game in their group go their way.

In addition to a Toon victory, PSG must either draw or lose away to Borussia Dortmund for the club to reach the knockout phase.

Any other result will mean the Tyneside outfit will fail to qualify.

Newcastle could still find themselves in the Europa League by avoiding losing to the Rossoneri.

PSG know three points will be enough for them to go through, while a draw will also suffice should AC Milan avoid defeat.

Milan's poor goal difference mean they need to beat Newcastle and hope Dortmund defeat PSG in order for them to qualify.

Speaking after Newcastle's 1-1 draw to PSG last month, Howe said: «We’re still in it.

»We can’t forget that. We still believe.

“It looked like we had got there. Full credit to the players.

«As much as this is a huge deflating feeling, it could be another story in our season [against Milan].»