Toon ‘desperate’ to win

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will target either the Champions League or a trophy to establish the club as a force in English football once again.

The Magpies are looking to book their place in the group stages of the Europa League tonight when they take on Greek side Atromitos in the second leg of a play-off — the sides drew 1-1 in Athens last week.

However, Pardew acknowledges the gap between his resurgent club and the powerhouses of the English game is huge, and he knows only a return to Champions League action or an end to their 43-year wait for silverware can start to bridge it.